Prime Minister called out for disingenuous comments about social work

The Prime Minister has been challenged by social workers on recent unfounded remarks he made about the profession during an interview with The London Economic.

Mr Sunak claimed that the profession had previously ignored victims of child sexual abuse. The full interview can be watched here.

BASW members have criticised the off-the-cuff remarks as being disingenuous and harmful and have told BASW how they unfairly misrepresent the invaluable role our profession plays in upholding and advancing human rights, supporting wellbeing, protecting individuals and families from harm and improving people’s lives.

Mr Sunak’s comments come on a backdrop of continued inadequate levels of investment in the profession, and social care more widely, from his own government. The result of which is increasingly high demands and worsening working conditions, which are being further exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis. This was clearly highlighted in BASW’s findings of our recent annual survey of members.

Social workers are deeply committed to the people they support and do exceptional work everyday to promote wellbeing, social justice, empowerment and choice. We need politicians to recognise and value our profession, which includes giving them the resources, respect and recognition they need and deserve.

BASW continues to call on the UK Government to deliver long overdue investment in social work, with an acute focus on improving recruitment, easing demands and reversing the flow of social workers leaving the profession. This includes investment in social work recruitment, education, professional development and retention initiatives we need for the next decade and beyond.

BASW England Professional Officer, Denise Monks recently spoke to both LBC Radio and BBC Radio 5 Live about the Prime Minister’s comments. You can listen to both interviews on our YouTube channel below.