Chief Executive, Mencap. Views expressed are personal views. Also to be found at https://xitter.cf/t.co/TNJLkWxmwb
Joined April 2012
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Jon Sparkes retweeted
It was great to visit Mencap, a charity based in my constituency, who support people with learning disabilities through advocacy, employment programmes, community projects and a nationwide helpline.
I look forward to continuing to work with
@mencap_charityon the need to improve accessibility, employment opportunities and public services for people with learning disabilities.
Jon Sparkes retweeted
When Disabled people are repeatedly framed as a cost, it affects how society sees us. @Channel4's The Experiment confronts ableism, segregation and the consequences of devaluing Disabled lives.
Read a blog on the programme here:
disabilityrightsuk.org/news/…
Jon Sparkes retweeted
Thank you to @UKHofficial for announcing 100,000 new jobs for young people not in education, employment or training over the next few years.
This comes on top of a similar agreement reached last month with UK retail.
theguardian.com/society/2026…
Jon Sparkes retweeted
Andy Burnham's plan for a national care service is a "game-changer", says the official tasked with planning how it would work.
Baroness Casey speaks to Sky's @CathyNewman about the PM's plan for a system where "everyone contributes and everyone is covered."
📺 Sky 501
Jon Sparkes retweeted
This is very welcome news from @patmcfaddenmp, Secretary of State for Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). We know young people with a learning disability are disproportionately likely to not have a job, not have access to training or be let down by the education system.
Jon Sparkes retweeted
🎉 Celebrating 80 years of @mencap_charity
Today, The Duchess of Edinburgh, Patron of Mencap, joined charity members, myth-busters and ambassadors to mark this incredible milestone.
For 80 years, Mencap has supported people with a learning disability to live their lives to the full and achieve the things that matter most to them. 💜
Jon Sparkes retweeted
Exc: I sat down with Baroness Casey, the woman tasked with fixing social care in England, to talk about the state of the care system with some hints (I think) at what she could recommend to @andyburnham.
Some of it could sound like music to the PM’s ears itv.com/news/2026-09-17/case…
Jon Sparkes retweeted
Exc: Louise Casey, head of the commission on adult social care in England:
-“Mistake” to allow so much privatisation of care sector
-“Profiteering” firms make money off backs of disabled ppl
-Would ban foriegn entities owning UK care homes
My interview: youtu.be/EizVSY52Uyk
Jon Sparkes retweeted
Louise Casey is leading the Independent Commission into Adult Social Care, and it was an honour to welcome her to our Mencap offices this week:
brnw.ch/21x5NBw
Jon Sparkes retweeted
UK retailers have pledged to help 100,000 young people not in education, employment, or training into work by the end of this Parliament.
Part of the Government's drive to tackle youth unemployment and build lasting careers for young people.
Jon Sparkes retweeted
"It's a real message of hope for young people" - Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden
The DWP and @the_brc are launching Opening Shift to create 100,000 retail jobs for young people not in education, employment or training
Find out more ow.ly/nBy550ZKG27
Jon Sparkes retweeted
Say it louder for the people at the back:
The only way to end homelessness is with social homes.
Reform’s plans to make it harder to access social housing will only stoke division and force more people into homelessness.
bit.ly/4qwKf4F
Last minute change of plans. Tickets for @thecure tonight in Manchester on resale with @Ticketmaster
secure.ticketmaster.co.uk/rs…
Jon Sparkes retweeted
Today, Prime Minsiter @andyburnham announced his 3 key social care announcements.
In response, Mencap Chief Executive @jon_sparkes OBE said “Putting social care at the top of the agenda is a significant and welcome step.”
Andy Burnham's three key social care announcements ⬇️
🔹 The social care review will be brought forward to summer 2027
🔹 A pledge to reform the care workforce
🔹 A defence of his cross-party approach to social care
➡️ trib.al/IWN27Kp
📺 Sky 501 and YouTube
The Prime Minister @andyburnham putting social and social carers front and centre. @mencap_charity will support in any way we can. People with a learning disability have a right to expect social care to be fixed.
'It's humbling'
Andy Burnham praises social care workers, drawing on his own personal experience as his father is in care.
Politics latest: trib.al/IWN27Kp
📺 Sky 501 and YouTube
Jon Sparkes retweeted
Hard to overstate how big today is for the future of social care.
Ideas are in abundance, but for more than a decade it has been treated as the third rail of British politics.
It requires leadership from the Prime Minister. It’s clear that @andyburnham is going to provide it.
Jon Sparkes retweeted
Pat McFadden has been reappointed as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions @dwpgovuk.