If I had one day as Prime Minister
Written by Dr Mark Brookes MBE
Advocacy Lead for Dimensions, the UK’s largest not-for-profit support provider for adults with learning disabilities and autistic people.
Mark is also a steering group member of the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), led by the Department for Work and Pensions.
People often ask me what I would do if I was Prime Minister for the day.
I know one day would not be enough to fix everything. But it would be enough to get things started.
As someone who has spent many years speaking up for people with learning disabilities, I know there are changes that could make a real difference. If I had one day as Prime Minister, these are the things I would focus on.
1. Better Funding for Social Care
Social care changes lives.
It helps people live independently, spend time with friends and family, work, volunteer and enjoy life. I have personally been fighting for social care for the last 6 years, I live alone and know that as I get older I will need more support at home.
Too many people are not getting the support they need because there is not enough funding. I would make sure social care gets the investment it deserves, so people can live the lives they choose.
2. More Funding for Advocacy
Advocacy is close to my heart because I have seen the difference it makes.
Everyone should have someone to help them understand their rights, speak up and make their own choices. As an advocacy myself, I feel that I have helped people within Dimensions to speak up. Many People First Groups have had to close due to no funds – more reason as to why I would want more funding!
Too many people cannot get advocacy when they need it. I would invest more money so that advocacy is available to everyone who needs it.
3. Help with the Cost of Living
The cost of living is making life harder for many people. I have had to cut down on what I spend, I need to be careful! Even people in supported living are trying to be careful.
Food costs more. Energy bills are higher. Everyday life has become more expensive.
People with learning disabilities should not have to worry about whether they can afford the basics. I would make sure people have the support they need to live well.
4. More Opportunities for Work
In the long term, I would set up supported employment groups across the country. I have felt that there are fewer opportunities for people like me, having to fight for jobs.
These groups would help people find jobs, build confidence, learn new skills and understand how work affects their benefits.
Many people with learning disabilities want to work. They just need the right support and the chance to show what they can do i.e access to work.
5. Everyone Should Have a Voice
My final change would be to bring people together.
I would create a group with people from all political parties, alongside people with learning disabilities and other disabled people.
The best decisions are made when the people affected are part of the conversation from the beginning. I am currently apart of the Timms Review, this is just a great example of people with learning disabilities and disabilities having the opportunity to be heard and make a difference.
Looking Ahead
If I was Prime Minister for the day, I would not try to do everything.
I would focus on making life fairer, making sure people are listened to and creating opportunities for everyone.
Real change happens when people work together and when people with lived experience are at the centre of decisions.
That is the kind of country I would like to see, and that is what I would spend my day working towards.