Laura Sharman 10 February 2022

Care cap will fail to help poorer pensioners, charity warns

Care cap will fail to help poorer pensioners, charity warns image
Image: Nadino / Shutterstock.com

More than four out of five older people will not benefit from the Government's social care cap, a charity has warned.

Age UK has criticised the Government for proposing a change to how the progress towards the cap is calculated, warning it would disproportionately affect those who are less well off.

Analysis by the charity reveals older people who have higher incomes or live in richer parts of the UK are more likely to benefit from the cap than poorer older people.

The analysis shows a wealthier older person needing care could reach the £86k cap in just a couple of years, compared to someone with fewer assets who could pay fees for a decade longer.

The charity said poorer older people are likely never to reach the cap at all.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “It really is extraordinary that the Government wants to make a change to its own social care cap scheme which will take it beyond the reach of most older people with low or modest amounts of income and wealth, while leaving the situation of the better off, in leafier parts of the country, more or less intact.

This is patently unfair, regressive and counter to the Government’s "levelling up agenda".'

Age UK is calling on Peers to vote against the proposed change.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'For the first time in history we are stopping people having to pay unlimited quantities for their care.

'Compared to the current system more people will be supported with their social care costs, have greater certainty over what they need to pay and receive higher quality care.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner