Age UK comment on dedicated social care tax

Responding to the Institute for Government's report on how to fund health and social care.

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK said:

“Our Social Care in this country is falling so far short of the mark that it’s going to cost a lot of money to make the changes that will put things right. It’s likely that all of us will have to help fund this in some way, including older people, but what’s the fairest way for them to do so? Making older people who work past their retirement age pay National Insurance could be tough for someone on a low income, especially if a person who has retired & stopped work on a big pension isn’t paying anything at all.

“It’s important to look at these things in the round & to recognise how much many older people are already paying for social care - some of it not very good. It may be that many older people would be prepared to pay some more, if they can afford it & it felt fair - but only in exchange for a decent & reliable care service - a lot better than what’s often available to them today."