Posted on 14/06/2017 by

David Mowat, the junior minister responsible for social care, has left the Department of Health after losing his Warrington South seat in the General Election.

Ex-junior care minister David Mowat lost his seat in parliament

The former Conservative MP's exit, leaves a care vacuum in Government when it comes to social care.

Mr Mowat had been a junior health minister with portfolio responsibility for social care since July 2016. Prior to this date, social care had received a higher platform in Government, as the responsibility lay with a Minster of State namely Alistair Burt.

Speaking to the House of Commons’ select committee on communities and local Government, David Mowat previously admitted the Government had no “final answer” on how it was going to meet the rising cost of social care.

He told the committee: “We are unusual in Europe in that we don’t have a social insurance system or long-term savings scheme” and acknowledged families could do more to care for their parents just as they would for their children.

While Mr Mowat lost his seat, Barbara Keeley, Labour’s shadow care minister, who is responsible for mental health and social care, held onto her Worsley and Eccles South seat.

PM's chief advisor: 'regrets' decision not to include in manifesto social care cap

As well as Conservative MPs losing their seats after the election on 8 June, Theresa May’s joint chiefs of staff Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill resigned at the weekend.

Announcing his decision on 10 June to quit on the Conservatives Home website, Mr Timothy said: “I take responsibility for my part in this election campaign, which was the oversight of our policy programme.

“In particular, I regret the decision not to include in the manifesto a ceiling as well as a floor in our proposal to help meet the increasing cost of social care.”

As Prime Minister Theresa May made her post-election cabinet reshuffle, re-appointing health secretary Jeremy Hunt, the question arises whether she will find a Minister of State for social care to meet the care challenges facing the country.

Source: Carehome