The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) says that human rights, health, care and wellbeing, and financial fairness must be central commitments for the next UK government.

Launching its manifesto today, the third sector intermediary says the upcoming election comes at a “pivotal point”, presenting an opportunity for the UK to lead in human rights.

The ALLIANCE says this follows “serious but unevenly felt impacts” from Brexit, the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis for people across Scotland and the UK.

In its manifesto, the ALLIANCE calls for the next UK government to deliver ‘sufficient and sustainable’ health and social care in England, including capital investment – which it says, serves as a necessary precondition to adequate funding in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It highlights the importance of delivering “parity of esteem” for social care in relation to healthcare, investing in improving access to social care as well as pay and conditions for workers.

Health inequalities

The manifesto highlights the importance of tackling health inequalities through economic change, addressing wider determinants of health – including regulation of food environments and improved housing and transport, stating:

‘Government action to support health and wellbeing must therefore extend beyond investment in health and social care, and into tackling the wider social and commercial determinants that impact on the health of the population.

‘This should include further advancing policies that support the availability of affordable, healthy, nutritious food, shifting the balance of affordability away from less healthy foods and making it easier for people to make healthier choices that reduce their chances of developing long term health conditions.

Health and wellbeing should also be supported through increased investment in housing and infrastructure for active travel and public transport, and the links between them.’

The ALLIANCE urges the next government to recognise that public health policy is needed for gambling harms, including regulating industry practices.

It also says the UK government must amend the Scotland Act – removing unintended restrictions on the Scottish parliament’s ability to legislate for human rights.

Commenting on the launch of the manifesto, the ALLIANCE Chief Officer Sara Redmond says it offers a “positive vision” for the future:

“So much has happened since the last election in 2019, including Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the cost-of-living crisis.

“These have impacted everybody, but persistent social, economic and health inequalities mean some groups have felt the effects more than others.

“Our manifesto offers a positive vision for the next term of parliament, to restore the UK’s position as world leader in human rights, improve everyone’s health and wellbeing, and strengthen the social security system.

“We look forward to working with everyone elected in Scotland, regardless of party, to deliver on those key aspirations: Rights, Wellbeing, Fairness.”

Health and care workforce

The ALLIANCE highlights the importance of repealing the Rwanda Act to ensure that human rights protections are not removed from any groups or individuals.

It states that health and social care sectors across Scotland and the UK benefit enormously from people choosing to move from abroad, urging the government to welcome immigration:

‘To attract and maintain the skilled workforce needed in health and social care, there must be a supportive immigration environment for people seeking to move to the UK to work in those sectors.

‘This should include exempting workers from minimum income requirements, if those requirements are to exist at all, and restrictions on bringing spouses and dependents with them, in breach of their right to family life.

‘The Rwanda Bill, which seeks to disapply human rights protections for refugees and asylum seekers, must be repealed as a matter of urgency.’

The ALLIANCE says this is in ‘direct contravention’ of the basic principles of human rights, breaches of international law and sets a dangerous precedent.

Human rights and social security

Its manifesto calls for a review of the taxation system ‘rooted in human rights’.

The ALLIANCE calls on the next government to develop a taxation and revenue-raising system which is focused on poverty reduction and climate action.

It says the ‘broken social security system’ must be repaired by ending the ‘cruel sanctions regime’ and ensuring social security and work deliver dignity for disabled people.

Beyond this, the organisation wants a social energy tariff for disabled people, people living with long term conditions, and unpaid carers, echoing repeated calls for support by Carers Scotland and disability organisations.

The ALLIANCE manifesto also calls for collaborative working towards a minimum income guarantee.

Chief Officer Sara Redmond says:

“The election on the 4^th of July is a crucial moment for political parties and the next UK government to show they are serious about tackling those inequalities.”

Read more: NHS is not a ‘political football', warns BMA; Uncovering the hidden role of carers in Scotland; Regulation key to reducing obesity; A question of action; Social inequalities worsen health for LGBT+; Decriminalisation call to support drug deaths mission; Carers rights not yet a reality; Exercise key to good health in type 2 diabetes

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