Attack on Health Secretary Andrew Lansley’s ‘empty’ care plan
HEALTH Secretary Andrew Lansley faced fresh criticism yesterday over his plans to help elderly people afford care without having to sell their homes.
Ros Altmann, director general of Saga, accused Mr Lansley of using “empty words” in a row over how the new plan is to be paid for.
She said: “Every week, every month, frail elderly people are being forced to sell their homes.” She added: “Empty words will not deliver care. Funding is the crucial missing piece of the care puzzle.”
Opponents have already dismissed the proposals as “token” after it emerged funding might not be in place before 2015.
Today Mr Lansley will unveil plans to set new standards of council care to end the current “postcode lottery”.
It is part of a wider package of reforms expected on Wednesday, which will also include a £200million fund for 6,000 purpose-built properties aimed at helping the elderly and disabled to stay independent.
Mr Lansley is expected to agree a limit on what any individual would have to pay for care – suggested last year to be £35,000 – but he will say he cannot firmly commit to a cap until the Government’s next spending review, expected next year.
Every week, every month, frail elderly people are being forced to sell their homes. Empty words will not deliver care. Funding is the crucial missing piece of the care puzzle
The Government says that backing a cap is significant. But Labour insists it is meaningless with no plan to deliver it.