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

Director of People

Lancashire County Council
£108,697 - £117,998
As a leader at Lancashire County Council, you’ll join an authority with real scale, courageous ambition and deep pride in place. County hall
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council

Director of Strategy and Transformation

Lancashire County Council
£108,697 - £117,998
As a leader at Lancashire County Council, you’ll join an authority with real scale, courageous ambition and deep pride in place. Preston, Lancashire
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council

Care and Support Assistant -Longlands

West Northamptonshire Council
13.52ph
About the role We are looking for a dedicated Care and Support Worker to join our team at Longlands Care Home in Daventry. In this rewarding role, you will provide compassionate, person-centred care to older people and those living with dementia, includin Daventry
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Highway Design and Construction Manager

Bolton Council
Grade N, scp50 £62,443 to scp53 £65,663 per annum, plus essential car user allowance
We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. Bolton, Greater Manchester
Recuriter: Bolton Council

Social Worker - Huddersfield Royal Infirmary

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£38,220 - £40,777
Looking to appoint as a Level 2 or Level 3 Social Worker. Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Linkedin Banner