Tories force up care charges

4.32.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 8th Apr 2008

Elderly need affordable home care

This week the Tory-run County Council has increased its home care charges, which provide services for our most vulnerable residents, by £4.68 an hour and £7.86 a day. In percentage terms these are increases are of 39% and 25%. The County have justified this with several statements that 'only 12% or 1,100 service users' are affected and that these are 'in line with Government guidance'.

The Liberal Democrats on the County Council have condemned these charges as an outrageous increase. At a time where we have an aging population, and there is predicted growth in this age range, the County had not thought through for these changes. 1,100 service users, many of whom do not claim the benefits they are entitled to, will be affected in this enormous hike in charges.

Liberal Democrats spokesperson on Adults, Councillor Nick Hollinghurst said: 'I am appalled that the County Council have just charged ahead with these changes. Many elderly people will be seeing these increased charges dropping through there doors in May this year and will be wondering how to pay them. They did not even phase the new charges in. Liberal Democrats in Scotland managed to find solutions to be able to provide free homecare but the Tory Council just increased prices by such a large amount that they will be real hardship.'