10 February 2010
Source: LocalGov.co.uk ()

Pressure mounts on free care plans


Matt Hobley

Pressure is mounting on Government plans to provide free personal care to the most vulnerable elderly people.

Over 70 councillors, who lead the provision of social care across England, have dubbed the plans ‘ill-conceived’ in a letter to the Times newspaper.

The action follows a failed attempt to defeat the Personal Care at Home Bill in the Lords last week. A motion tabled by former health minister Lord Warner argued that the Government’s proposal was unaffordable and had not been properly consulted on.

The councillors’ call also follows criticism from social services chiefs. A poll by Association of Directors of Adult Social Services' suggested providing care to those most in need costs £200 a week - double the Government's estimate.

The ADASS said the 'true cost' of the policy could be a minimum of £1 billion, with the overall cost to local authorities rising to more than twice the £250 million originally calculated by the Government.

Gordon Brown made the free care pledge a key part of his election strategy.

Most of the signatory councils represented in the letter are Conservative and Liberal Democrat. There are a handful of Labour authorities, too, although the Times reports several of them contacted the paper ahead of publication asking to be removed from the list.

Although the councils fully support providing care to those with greatest need, they say the legislation has ‘major weakeneses’ and there are ‘major doubts’ over funding.



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