I have had a number of constituents contact me about the vote on the social care cap last week, and to ask why I voted in support of the changes. I am clear that the proposals which have been set out will deliver the changes needed where others have failed and see a significant improvement on the system that is in place today.
Let me be clear – nobody—not one person—will be “worse off” than under the current system. Currently, around half of all older adults in care receive some state support for their care costs. This will rise to roughly two thirds under these reforms.
The Government is proposing to cap the amount that anyone will be forced to spend on personal care costs in their lifetime at £86,000. That is a seismic and historic change in the way we pay for care in England. Lower-income households will be large net beneficiaries from the proposals so fare, with the poorest households gaining most (as a proportion of income). The 20% highest income households will contribute more than 40 times that of the 20% lowest income households.
Regarding suggestions that all care be free, I personally agree with the Prime Minister when he says that a universal system of free care for all would be needlessly expensive when those who are wealthy enough to contribute to their care should do so.
The new upper capital limit of £100,000 is more than four times the current limit of £23,250, ensuring that many more people are eligible for some means-tested Local Authority support. The Government estimates that, when these reforms are implemented, around 150,000 people will be directly benefiting at any one point in time. They say that everybody, however, will benefit from the certainty and security that if they or their loved ones need personal care, they will no longer face unpredictable and unlimited costs.
Under the new reforms, those who have assets below £20,000 will not have to pay anything for their care from their assets. However, people may still need to make a contribution towards their care costs from their income. I support these reforms, which ensure that those who can afford to will contribute more to their care.
Over the coming months, the Government will be working alongside the social care sector to develop a “Blueprint for Adult Social Care” which will set out further details on proposals, including new support for unpaid carers, investment in housing and technology and better information to help those who need care to navigate the system. I note that many desire to see these reforms go further. The Government will be opening a consultation on the charging reforms soon and I would encourage anyone to take part and make their views known in this way.
This is an important start to reforming social care in this country and I look forward to seeing how the Government’s plans progress. As your MP, I can assure you that I will be engaged in all discussions about these reforms and continue to represent the views of constituents.
Given that the proposals on the table are not yet finalised, but are better than what we currently have, I believed that I should support the Government on this, at least until we have more information. I do, however, believe that it is important that we have an impact assessment before this legislation is voted through Parliament.
