News

Game of Thrones star Kit Harington backs care campaign

English actor Harington, who plays Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, has backed a Mencap campaign to prevent people with learning disabilities from losing overnight carers

Game of Thrones hero Kit Harington has paused in his crusade to save the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros to yield his sword against government cuts.

The actor, who plays Jon ‘King in the North’ Snow in the HBO fantasy epic, has backed a campaign to stop people with learning disabilities from losing their carers.

New guidance on payments for “sleep-in” carers means charities that provide the service could be faced with a back-pay bill of £400m.

We need to act now

“Just having a carer stay overnight in their home makes a huge difference to someone with a serious learning disability,” said Harington, before warning many charities could go bankrupt if the changes were enforced.

“This is a reality – the most vulnerable people in our society will be left without care. We need to act now.”

Mencap chief executive Jan Tregelles described the payments dispute as “the most critical issue that Mencap has faced in 70 years”.

Harington also talked about his cousin Laurent, who has Down’s syndrome and autism, and the care he received.

Kit Harrington as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones.

“The special relationship I have had with my cousin Laurent has given me a privileged understanding of learning disability and the critical role that organisations like Mencap play in providing the care that makes an independent life possible,” said the actor.

“It saddens me that there is still such a stigma attached to learning disability,” he added.

“I want to help shine a spotlight on the vital work that Mencap and other providers do. It makes such a difference to hundreds of thousands of ordinary families across the UK.”

For more on the #StopSleepInCrisis: www.mencap.org.uk/sleep-ins-petition

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
Calls to nationalise Thames Water as Brits face 40% increase in bills: 'A con and a disgrace'
Water bills

Calls to nationalise Thames Water as Brits face 40% increase in bills: 'A con and a disgrace'

Will free school meals and vouchers be offered over the Easter holidays?
Free school meals/ Easter holidays
Free school meals

Will free school meals and vouchers be offered over the Easter holidays?

Leaked letter to Tory MPs reveals renting reforms will be 'watered down' to 'appease landlords'
Renters Reform Bill
RENTING

Leaked letter to Tory MPs reveals renting reforms will be 'watered down' to 'appease landlords'

Council tax is going up for millions in April. Here's what to do if you're struggling to pay
council tax/ houses
Cost of living crisis

Council tax is going up for millions in April. Here's what to do if you're struggling to pay

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know