Our Social Policy Work in 2018-19

 

 Stop the war on plastic straws

The Great Straw Debate Update

Some of you were worried that banning plastic straws was going to have an impact on Disabled people who use them to drink independently. We followed up with Wimbledon (AELTC) ahead of the championships to find out about their plans to ban plastic straws from Wimbledon Championships. You can read more here - https://www.mertoncil.org.uk/news/the-great-straw-debate-update/

 

The Lives We Lead (Adult Social Care) - Consultation response - October 2018

The Local Government Association (LGA) launched a nationwide consultation on how to pay for adult social care. Our members at the Craftivism and Chat group responded to the LGA consultation and we sent a consultation response on behalf of Merton CIL. You can read more here - https://www.mertoncil.org.uk/news/press-release-the-lives-we-wa/

And read our consutlation response here - The Lives We Lead Consultation 

 

The future of Social Care - Panel discussion and report lauch - October 2018

We held a panel discussion on the future of social care following the launch of our report on social care in Merton. You can read the full report here - https://www.mertoncil.org.uk/news/choice-control-and-independen/

You can watch footage of the event via Merton TV here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MpB28mlfIQ

You can listen to audio of the event here – https://soundcloud.com/user-470783820-197838840/the-future-of-social-care-panel-discussion

 

Consultation on proposals to ban the distribution and/or sale of plastic straws & more in England - Nov 2018

Merton CIL responded to the national consultaion on the plan to ban plastic straws. We said we want to save the environment too, but, please don't ban plastic straws until there is a real alternative (there isn't one yet), because some Disabled People need them to drink! You can read the full consultation response here

Merton CIL were also invited to share our views at a Merton Council Task Group on single use plastics, we hope we did justice to our members' views. 

 

Consultation leaves Disabled people with the short straw 

In May 2019 , the government has confirmed its decision to go ahead with the plastic straw ban despite the strong objections of Disabled people including members of Merton CIL. You can read our article informing of this here - https://www.mertoncil.org.uk/news/consultation-leaves-disabled-p/