Age UK statement on Panorama: Generation Game
Published on 26 July 2010 01:00 PM
Commenting on BBC One's ‘Panorama: The Generation Game,' airing on 26 July 2010, Michelle Mitchell, Age UK Charity Director said,
"By exposing the dire state of the care system, we hope the Panorama programme will act as a catalyst for people of all ages to demand decent care for people in later life.
"Every day, thousands of families face agonising decisions about care for their loved ones. They find a care system that is broken and in desperate need of reform and funding.
"Research for Age UK shows if government-wide spending cuts are applied to older people's social care services, a £1.75 billion funding black hole will open up within the next two years. Councils would only be able to afford care at home for half of those who are eligible now - leaving half a million people to fend for themselves. In another two years, once care has been provided to the poorest people in care homes, there could be no money left for community-based care services at all.
"If the Chancellor wields his public spending axe on social care, we risk putting thousands of lives at risk."
- ENDS -
Notes to Editors
Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged. The Age UK family includes Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI.
Media contact: Hong Ling Dyer
Tel: 020 8765 7511
Out of hours: 07071 243 243