No need for care delay (From York Press)

No need for care delay

11:20am Saturday 14th July 2012 in Letters

Since the Dilnot Report, councils, charities and the country’s older residents have been waiting for the Government to come to a decision on the “cap” on contributions to care.

It is then disappointing that again the Government has delayed this announcement.

There is no reason for this delay as there is money.

The Government is spending £2 billion on NHS reform, introducing more administration, nearly £200 million on Police Commissioner elections and has proposed referendums on Europe and Lords reform (£200 million each) – the list goes on.

Yet the Government is proposing that people take out a loan that their families will pay after their death – this will lead to more worry for individuals than the current system Social care for the country’s older residents costs councils more than 40 per cent of their budgets.

This spend rises each year while base budgets have been cut by 28 per cent in the last three, and will continue to be, while council tax is capped. The number of those who need care grows by four per cent per year.

The Government said it would make a decision on care, but the halfway house announced does not remove the financial concern. Cameron, Clegg and Lansley need to get their priorities right.

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, Cabinet member for health, housing and adult social services, City of York Council, Salisbury Road, York.