Care & Repair

Q U A R T E R L Y P O L I C Y U P D A T E M A R C H 2 0 2 1

I N C L U D E D T H I S Q U A R T E R :

Digital Strategy for Wales Fuel Poverty - Outcome

Community Health Council Manifesto Engagement Consultation

EU Settled Status Elections

Strategy for an Ageing Society

Rebalancing Care & Support Intended as a snapshot of the last three months. For more detail on any of the topics in this update DFG and Implications please contact: [email protected] J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1 DIGITAL STRATEGY COMMENT

The strategy has six missions, proposed by WG: Responding to the Digital Strategy was one of the 1. Digital services: to deliver and modernise first actions of the year. COVID-19 has shown the services to a common set of standards so that importance of digital access they are simple, secure and convenient. 2. Digital economy: driving economic growth, We called for a rights-based approach to digital productivity and resilience by embracing and connectivity as a mechanism for inclusion, and to exploiting digital innovation. provide protection for those living in data- 3. Digital skills: creating a society and poverty. We called for appropriate alternatives to workforce that is efficient, informed, ensure that those who cannot or would not like to collaborative and able to interact securely in be online will not be left behind or have their a digital world. access services compromised. 4. Digital inclusion: to equip people with the motivation, access, skills and confidence to We advocated for allocating of grants to upskill engage with an increasingly digital world, the workforce both in using digital technology, based on their needs. and to gain skills in how to speak to clients who 5. Digital connectivity: that services are are not online but would like to be. supported by fast and reliable infrastructure. 6. Data and collaboration: improve services by Availability does not mean accessibility: we noted working together, with data and knowledge that for many of our clients current digital being used and shared. technologies do not meet their needs.

J A N U A R Y A N N O U C E M E N T S :

87% of households in Wales Just before the Christmas break, MS 87% have access to the internet announced that Local Authorities in Wales will be getting a 3.8% cash boost for 2021-22 but the distribution formula means this will be split unevenly, with individual local authorities getting between 2% and 5.6% uplifts.

98% of adults aged 16-49 in p ublished its Vaccine 98% Wales use the internet Strategy on 11th Jan. The target of vaccinating the first four priority groups by Mid-Feb was met. Vaccines are currently being administered in 563 locations across Wales.

T H E W E L S H E L E C T I O N S ( C O R O N A V I R U S ) B I L L W A S I N T R O D U C E D T O T H E S E N E D D 49% 49% of adults aged over 75 O N 2 7 T H J A N I N P R E P A R A T I O N F O R A in Wales use the internet S C E N A R I O W H E R E P O S T P O N E M E N T O F T H E E L E C T I O N M A Y B E N E C E S S A R Y F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 1 COMMUNITY HEALTH EU SETTLED STATUS

COUNCILS CONSULTATION A DWP representative spoke to Caseworkers Community Health Councils Cymru asked for about the ramifications for those EU nationals feedback what people in Wales felt were their key living in the UK post-Brexit. priorities within health and social care over the coming years. Anyone who has not applied for Settled Status - not matter how long they have lived in the UK, and We called for a Covid-19 recovery plan to include even if they moved here before the UK joined the resumption of services and engagement with EU - will no longer be entitled to access to older people who may be reluctant to access benefits and services after the 30th June. This is care. an absolute cut off and only cases with reasonable exemption will be considered after We highlighted Wales' ageing demographic and this date. the need to consider more age-specific issues such as frailty, and how this would benefit from This has huge ramifications for many older people earlier planning and prevention through in Wales who may not recognise that they must identification at primary care level to join up third apply for Settled Status; who may not have sector social care provision. access to the internet; who have conditions that mean they cannot reasonably be expected to complete the application themselves; who in assisted accommodation or care homes

F E B R U A R Y A N N O U N C E M E N T S :

Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services announced the publication of a process evaluation summary report commissioned as part of the evaluation of the implementation of the Social Services and Well-being Act 2014.

The Equality, Loca l Government and Communities Committee published its report on the impact of COVID-19 on the voluntary sector, which highlighted concerns about lack of funding certainty

I N L A T E F E B R U A R Y , V O T E S F O R T H I R D S E C T O R P A R T N E R S H I P C O U N C I L W E R E C O U N T E D , W I T H C R C S U P P O R T I N G T H E " I N D E P E N D E N T A D V I C E P R O V I D E R S F O R U M " , " H O M E S F O R A L L C Y M R U " A N D " A G E A L L I A N C E W A L E S " M A R C H 2 0 2 1 COMMENT

STRATEGY FOR AN AGEING SOCIETY A big one for Care & Repair! Immediately, we were disappointed that there was no mention of unfit The Strategy for an Ageing Society builds on the housing or poor housing conditions in the Strategy, Strategy for Older people 2013-2023. Since then especially as this had been included in earlier changes in legislation, policy and funding streams versions. We used the response to make a series of - and of course the ever more present reality of an policy recommendations to improve housing ageing population - have brought forward a conditions for older owner-occupiers and private Strategy for an Ageing Society ahead of 2023. renters.

The Strategy had four main aims: The Strategy took a rights-based approach, so 1. Enhancing wellbeing expanded on this to call for the Right to Decent 2. Improving local services Housing, and a Right to Digital Connectivity. 3. Building and retaining people's own capability 4. Tackling age-related poverty We also highlighted other omissions from the Strategy such as decluttering; and asked for more The aims were interlaced with three key principles clarity on social prescribing and the use of digital, underpinning the policy approach within the after the successful Rockwool pilot in Bridgend. Strategy: 1. Creating an age-friendly Wales Help to Move was mentioned in the Strategy, so we 2. Prioritising prevention provided an evaluation and called for more 3. A rights-based approach sustainable resource.

There was also little mention of COVID-19 so we suggested urgent actions to aid recovery. There was no action plan or timescale, and little by ways of measuring progress. Without, the Strategy lacks accountability and is at risk of becoming an oft- quoted 'nice to have' with no real change.

REBALANCING CARE & SUPPORT WHITE PAPER COMMENT The White Paper sets out to improve social care We will be responding with concerns about arrangements and strengthen partnership whether a national framework will be responsive to working, building on the foundations of the local need, as well as highlighting that short term Social Services and Wellbeing Act 2014, and aA funding cycles meaning there is little opportunity Healthier Wales. for innovation and sustainability.

The Paper acknowledges the complex care We will also raise concerns about the imbalance of system in Wales, and focuses on three key areas voice and representation present in RPBs - and to deliver impact: suggest that a change of culture within them is 1. Away from price towards quality and value required rather than giving additional powers. 2. Reorientation of commissioning practices 3. Simplifying joint planning and delivery. The paper is also very procedure driven rather than citizen focused. There is no evidence of Two key mechanisms for change included are: engagement with those giving and receiving care Development of a national commissioning prior to the draft, yet these are the people who will framework feel its affects. Legislative powers for RPBs M A R C H 2 0 2 1 Fuel Poverty Consultation Result: Our response - key points: We recommended interim targets to provide Before the Festive break we submitted our the impetus to drive policy decision making response to the Wales Tackling Fuel Poverty forward, and create accountability. Plan 2020-2035. The Plan had new targets for 2035: We also recommended the permanent 1. No households living in persistent fuel adoption of the NEST Health conditions pilot, poverty and advocated for expanding the health 2. No more than 5% of households estimated conditions eligible. to be living in fuel poverty at any one time 3. Half the number of households 'at risk' of We advocated for a 'whole person, whole entering fuel poverty house' approach, taking into consideration measures to help improve housing conditions The Draft Plan also set out some immediate of those living in fuel poverty. goals for 2021/23 centred around: 1. Warm Homes Programme continued We opposed the adoption of kWh usage as a investment measure of fuel poverty, fearing that it might 2. Domestic Energy Efficiency Advice and lead to self rationing. Support Services Pilot 3. Better monitoring, evaluation and reporting Although decarbonisation was mentioned as of fuel poverty levels a policy goal, overall mention in the 4. Work with partners including UK Gov, and consultation was limited. There was also no SMART Metre companies cross-sector reference to the impact of fuel poverty on health, despite the much- The policy goals set out to: identify; prioritise evidenced link between fuel poverty and and protect; decarbonise; and influence. health, and even the NEST pilot. We argued that a long-term, integrated approach is required to meet the target ambitions.

COMMENT A summary of responses to the Fuel Poverty Consultation was released on 2nd March with an updated Fuel Poverty Plan. There will also be an accompanying Outcome Report and Integrated Impact Assessment which have not yet been released.

It seems the Plan is largely the same as the draft proposals. Still no interim milestones between now and 2035, which we and many others called for. As well as setting a final target for action to end fuel poverty in Wales, the Welsh Government has a legal duty to introduce supporting milestones to set a path to the final target – Welsh Gov says they will consider interim targets at the completion of their short-term actions in 2023. It's also worth noting that Welsh Government failed to meet its previous fuel poverty targets.

There has been some movement on EPCs/kWh (our consultation response advocating for keeping EPC rather than kWh reduction as this runs the risk of self-rationing, or could make a success i.e. someone having a warmer home, look like a ‘failure’ because the person is using more energy to achieve this). Rather than using just kWh there will now be an approach that calls for use of both. There is now an explicit line on modelling for those who might self-disconnect or self- ration too.

With regards to housing conditions, there is no mention or inclusion of this in the revised fuel poverty plan, and in the Warmth Partnership meeting in March, the Welsh Government representative said that this would not be something they would look into due to funding. M A R C H 2 0 2 1 DISABLED FACILITIES GRANT (DFG) COMMENT

On 10th March Welsh Government Housing On the face of it, this is great news for CRAs and Minister Julie James announced measures to will mean that many older people who previously remove the means test from small and medium would have just been over the threshold for DFGs from April 2021. mandatory DFGs.

It will be a condition of the ENABLE grant to LAs However, at present commitment to remove the do not means test small and medium DFGs. The means test is a condition of the ENABLE grant, ENABLE grant is being increased from April 2021 rather than the actual law. Therefore, it could be by £400,000 to £4.4 million. that the 22 LAs in Wales come up with 22 different ways of approaching the Welsh Government can make this conditional recommendations, or even simply do not provide without a change in legislation because of the small and medium DFGs without means test Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) Order despite government advice. 2002, which gives Local Authorities flexibility to introduce discretionary forms of assistance So - potentially but one to watch and see how it without conditions or limits. pans out, and a good opportunity for local agencies to build on good relationships with LAs The impact of this policy change will be to see that our clients directly benefit. monitored over a three year period, at which point depending on adoption, Welsh Government will move to make it law. M A R C H A N N O U N C E M E N T S : WG announced on the 9th of March that over 1M adults in Wales had received their first vaccine dose Welsh Budget 2021/2022 announced: Extra £50m for Social Housing Grant, taking total to £250m £50m for Optimised Retrofit programme to ON 17TH MARCH THE UN LAUNCHED ITS FIRST invest in decarbonising existing homes GLOBAL REPORT ON AGEISM. IN THE UK 1 IN 3 PEOPLE REPORT EXPERIENCING AGE PREJUDICE £12m to support adaptations programmes, OR AGE DISCRIMINATION. including boost in Physical Adaptations Grant Additional £206.6m into the Local Government Hardship Fund, including additional funding for adult social care and care home testing On 23rd Marc h the Digital Extension of amended rules for Discretionary Strategy Deliv ery Plan was Assistance Fund (increased flexibility and launc hed frequency of Emergency Assistance Payments) until end of September 2021 M A R C H 2 3 R D M A R K E D O N E Y E A R S I N C E L O C K D O W N B E G A N . T H E D A T E W A S AND: WG approved Budget confirmed standstill funding for M A R K E D B Y M A R I E C U R I E ' S " N A T I O N A L C&R Core, Rapid Response Adaptations and Managing D A Y O F R E F L E C T I O N " Bett; H2HH funding extended for another year to March 2022 by SENEDD M A Y 6 T H ELECTIONS 2021

New Welsh Political Barometer Poll DATES FOR YOUR DIARY This latest measure of public attitudes delivers the very latest evidence on the political state of play, just a few months before the scheduled Senedd election in May:

Constituency Ballot (change since poll in early November): Labour: 32% (-6) Conservatives: 30% (+3) : 23% (+3) Greens: 2% (-1) Reform UK: 3% (-2) Liberal Democrats: 5% (+2) Abolish the Welsh Assembly: 3% (no change)

Regional List Vote (change since poll in early November): Labour: 31% (-2) Conservatives: 28% (+4) Plaid Cymru: 22% (+2) Greens: 3% (-1) Reform UK: 1% (-4) Liberal Democrats: 4% (no change) Abolish the Assembly: 7% (no change)

Overall Projected Result: Labour: 22 seats (19 constituency, 3 regional) Conservatives: 19 seats (11 constituency, 8 regional) Plaid Cymru: 14 seats (9 constituency, 4 regional) Abolish the Assembly: 4 seats (4 regional) Liberal Democrats: 1 seat (1 constituency)

So while Labour looks likely to hold BUT - this is poll, not the result. The its lead position in the Senedd, this sample size was small at 1,174... would be their poorest result ever and at the moment the polling in a Welsh devolved election. suggests will lose his seat! YOU decide SENEDD D A T E : M A Y 6 T H ELECTIONS 2021

CARE & REPAIR ELECTION ENGAGEMENT CRC have been reaching out to the major players in the Senedd Election. We have presented our Manifesto in one-on-ones to the , Plaid Cymru and . Unfortunately we didn't manage to secure a meeting with before the pre-election period ran away with us, despite several dates in the diary and subsequent postponements. Response has been positive, and has led to new opportunities such as invitations to emerging CPGs, a shout-out for C&R in the Senedd, and additional briefings to Party Chief of Staff and Policy Leads. Final manifestos are yet to be published but below shows policy announcements so far...

- Drive forward cross-tenure - Reform private rented sector - Build 100,000 houses over next 10 decarbonisation - Raise environmental standards of years, including 40,000 social homes - More investment in integrated housing, applicable to old and new - All new homes carbon neutral 2026 health and care services housing stock - Introduce a Welsh Housing Survey - Support for digitally excluded and - New housing is lifetime housing - 'Tackle separate systems that exist better use of technology in - Reform NHS planning to avoid across Welsh NHS' healthcare penalising rural communities - Tackle 'postcode lottery' of - Increased investment in social - Investment in early intervention and commissioning of health services prescribing preventative health and care services - Review of social care levy - National Care Service

- Right to adequate Housing - Prioritise prevention and encourage healthy living by ensuring everyone has access to a safe, accessible and warm home - Thriving communities where people can live, where services are accessible locally, with access to green spaces, and that develops contribute fairly to communities - Investment in life-long learning - Work towards the creation of a single National Care Service

Care & Repair

D A T E S F O R Y O U R D I A R Y R E F E R E N C E S

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

25th March - Pre-election period begins 31st March - Socio-Economic Duty comes into force for PSB across Wales 6th April - Predicted Plaid Cymru Manifesto Publication 6th April - Rebalancing Care & Support Consultation due 8th April - Predicted Welsh Labour Manifesto Publication 14th April - Predicted Welsh Conservatives Manifesto Publication 6th May - Senedd Election 30th June - Final cut off for applications for EU Settled Status

January pg.2 https://digitalanddata.blog.gov.wales/2020/12/01/digital-strategy-for-wales-setting-the-context/ https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/statistics-and-research/2019-09/internet-use-and-digital-skills-national-survey- wales-april-2018-march-2019-207.pdf https://gov.wales/written-statement-provisional-local-government-settlement-2021-22 https://gov.wales/covid-19-vaccination-strategy https://gov.wales/covid-19-vaccination-programme-weekly-update-16-march-2021#section-65751 https://senedd.wales/media/m0plnfbd/pri-ld14059-e.pdf February pg.3 https://gov.wales/written-statement-publication-evaluation-social-services-and-well-being-wales-act- 2014-february https://senedd.wales/media/d4jh52zz/cr-ld14075-e.pdf March pg.5 https://gov.wales/one-million-people-receive-first-vaccine-dose https://www.who.int/news/item/18-03-2021-ageism-is-a-global-challenge-un https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/pdf-versions/2021/3/2/1616493588/digital-strategy-wales-delivery-plan.pdf Senedd Election pg.6 https://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/electionsinwales/2021/03/22/the-march-welsh-political-barometer- poll/ Senedd Election pg.7 https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ldwales/pages/3706/attachments/original/1604681827/WLD_2021_Manifesto_C onsultation_Document.pdf?1604681827 For more detail on any of the topics https://www.welshlabour.wales/welsh-labour-policy-process/ in this update please contact: https://www.partyof.wales/polisiau_policies [email protected]