G15 makes the case for affordable housing and social care at Labour Party Conference

The G15 attended the Labour Party Conference this week hosting two thought-provoking and well attended panel discussions that advocated for more social housing and a social care service that values people and supports colleagues with good pay and progression.

Our first event, delivered in partnership with the National Care Forum, saw G15 Chair, Geeta Nanda OBE, joined by Wes Streeting MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Anchor CEO, Sarah Jones, and Anna Dixon, Chair of the Archbishops' Commission on Reimagining Care, for a discussion about how not-for-profit providers can support an integrated social care service.

A key focus of Geeta's remarks were the challenges regarding the care and support workforce and how these can be addressed. With the sector facing a significant capacity challenge, comprised of high vacancies, high turnover, and exhausted colleagues, better pay and terms and conditions is desperately needed. Geeta advocated for a fair, and standardised, wage and benefits package for everyone providing professional care, made possible by a fully funded workforce plan. She also spoke about the need for the sector to invest in the development and progression of colleagues' careers.

Wes Streeting highlighted the need for an integrated care service and made clear that the not-for-profit care sector will be fundamental to delivering this. Under a Labour government, Streeting promised that social care will be the first sector to see pay and conditions setting to support colleagues and drive up standards. Streeting was both enthusiastic and determined about Labour's ambitions to deliver great care provisions and he made clear that not-for-profit providers would be critical to delivering this agenda.

Attendees were also privileged to hear from Oliver Thomason, Sports Inclusion Assistant at Community Integrated Care, and International Inclusion Ambassador for the Rugby League World Cup. With lived experience of the care sector, Oliver spoke about the impact not-for-profit providers have had on his life. The support Oliver receives allows him to not only live well, but flourish, contributing to society through his work as an inclusion ambassador. Oliver also spoke about the challenges he has faced due to the severe staff shortages across the sector, and the implications that not being able to find a support worker has had on his life.

The G15's second panel discussion, delivered in partnership with the Fabian Society, considered Labour's plans to deliver social housing.

Geeta was joined by Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential development, Tom Copley, Leader of Enfield Council, Cllr Nesli Caliskan, Generation Rent Director, Baroness Alicia Kennedy, and Shelter's Charles Trew.

Geeta's message was clear, that the G15's priority will always been ensuring existing homes are well maintained, but, she highlighted that building more affordable homes alongside this is crucial to tackling the housing crisis. Geeta commented that this can only be achieved through long-term funding programmes and investment in skills and the roles needed to build homes.

Cllr Nesli Caliskan was supportive of housing associations, highlighting the importance of working with a range of providers to get affordable homes built. The session was positive and left the audience with a clear message; building many more affordable homes must be the cornerstone of Labour's housing ambition.

The conference was a positive and productive moment for the G15, but our work is not done. We will be attending the Conservative Party Conference next week to share the same key messages with our current government. The G15 will be hosting another panel discussion in partnership with the National Care Forum and one with the Centre for Social Justice, that will ask how we can solve the injustice of the housing crisis.

If you are attending the Conservative Party Conference, please join us.