Social care overhaul talks to go ahead
Published on 16 January 2012 01:00 PM
Talks about a revamp in care and support for older and disabled people in England are to begin this week with campaigners calling for major changes.
The Health Secretary Andrew Lansley and Lib Dem care services minister Paul Burstow are to meet two members of the Labour health team after similar talks broke down ahead of the 2010 election.
Age UK says the opportunity cannot be squandered again. Coinciding with the start of the talks, it released data suggesting that the majority of the public want to see the social care system changed.
A survey of more than 1,700 adults, carried out by YouGov, showed that 81% feel more should be done by the Government to support the needs of older people. Three quarters of respondents said they wanted any individual costs capped.
Social care is means-tested, which means anyone with assets of more than £23,250 has to pay for the whole cost of their care.
Michelle Mitchell, charity director at Age UK, said the survey showed there was an appetite for change. She said: 'We want this government to be the one that shows the vision and drive to sort out the care system once and for all.'
Copyright Press Association 2012