Wednesday, 3 March 2010

Council condemns free OAP care plans

COUNCIL bosses voted to condemn controversial plans to provide free care for OAPs, as an MP warned it would put £26 on the average council tax bill.

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council passed a motion condemning what members said was an ‘unacceptable’ lack of funding for the scheme.

The Government wants to provide free care from October 1 to the most vulnerable people.

Ministers will fund £420m of the £670m cost of the plan – and expects councils to come up with the rest. The council voted to urge the Government to fund the full cost.

The motion states: “Whilst the general principle of enabling older people to stay in their own homes as long as possible is supported, the current proposal to only part fund centrally and require the balance to be found by local authorities is unacceptable.”

It adds: “Local government finance is under severe pressure and placing such an additional burden on councils will result in costs that can only be met by higher council tax levels and reductions in other public services.”

Meriden Conservative MP Caroline Spelman said the move would put an extra £26 on the average council tax bill. They want a one-off £8,000 payment from people to cover later costs.

In a press release, she said: “Gordon Brown needs to come clean about who will pay the price for his plans.”

A Department of Health spokesman said: “There's absolutely no doubt that the care and support system needs major reform.

“Today, people are paying thousands of pounds out of their own pockets towards the costs of care. Failure to act will only see this unfairness increase.

“By reforming the system we can deliver a fairer care and support system that better meets people's needs.

“The Personal Care at Home Bill will help people with the greatest needs now.”

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