What is the Conservative Party offering voters?

BASW UK’s Public and Political Affairs Lead, Kerri Prince, reports on an eventful Conservative party conference and what their policy plans mean for social work.

Last week, the Conservative Party had their annual conference in Birmingham. This was Liz Truss’ first conference as Prime Minister, and with fears about the cost of living along with inflation and rising interest rates, many people were looking for assurance from the Prime Minister that her government had it under control.

Asylum seekers and refugees

BASW UK has campaigned against the harsh rhetoric and harmful policies that the Government has implemented over the past few years, most notably in the Nationality and Borders Bill. The new Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, caused fears that the Government was going to install a blanket ban on people arriving by small boats claiming asylum. She also announced that she was going to find a way to make the Rwanda scheme work.

Cost of living

More Conservative MPs are coming out in favour of the current plan (as set by Rishi Sunak) to increase benefits next April in line with inflation in September 2022. As inflation was so high in September 2022, senior Conservatives such as the Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has raised doubts that the Government may backtrack on this commitment. But anti-poverty organisations have been exerting their pressure to stress the importance of benefits being increased with inflation, and some senior Conservatives such as Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt MP expressing support.

Instead of announcing support for those struggling to make ends meet, the Government have instead announced that they will further review income support such as the triple lock on pensions and more sanctions on people who are claiming Universal Credit and not in work.

Health and Social Care

New Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Therese Coffey MP, announced her plan to shake up health and social care. This included:

  • Ambulances
  • Backlogs
  • Care
  • Dentists and doctors

We know that social work often gets lost in the wider health and social care remit, but BASW will continue to work with politicians and decision-makers to ensure that the social work voice is heard.

There are probably 2 more years until the next General Election (although Liz Truss can call one at any time!), and the political parties have more time to set out their vision for the country.

You can read Liz Truss’ full speech to Conservative conference here.