Westminster’s social care reforms under spotlight

UK ministers have refused to fully commit to a cap on care costs that older people and disabled in England must pay, saying they need to investigate cheaper alternatives first.
More than a year on from the publication of the Dilnot Commission's report, which proposed capping lifetime costs at £35,000; ministers say the current economic climate means that they have to explore other options, including a higher cap and/or a fee to opt in to the system.
The move has disappointed organisations involved in the English social care system, especially as the announcement on funding - unveiled alongside a white paper and draft bill which sets out other changes to social care - has been eagerly awaited.
Age UK ‘s Charity Director General, Michelle Mitchell said: "In the end, the crucial issue of funding will make or break the Government's proposals, so we will be watching closely to make sure social care remains firmly on the agenda and is not marginalised during a comprehensive spending review that everyone expects to be tight.
"Sadly, the delay on a funding decision will undoubtedly have a devastating impact on those currently in need of care support today. There are already nearly 800,000 older people in England struggling to cope alone and that number is set to rise to one million by 2015.
"Many older people rely on social care to live with dignity and respect, and it is unfair to expect them to wait.  Care reform and funding reform must go hand in hand and cross-party political consensus must be achieved."
Among the options Westminster says it is looking at are raising the level of the cap - £75,000 to £100,000 has been suggested - or asking people to opt in by paying an upfront fee. Those who do not pay the fee would face unlimited costs.
Also under consideration is the means-testing of currently universal benefits targeted at older people, including winter fuel payments, free TV licences and concessionary travel, that could be used to fund a cap.
Although the changes announced apply only to England, the recommendations will be studied by ministers in the devolved administrations, as they all look to reform their social care systems as their ageing populations grow.
Wales and Northern Ireland have similar means-tested systems to England whereas Scotland has ‘free' personal care, which is also coming under increasing budgetary pressures.Tweet