Social Care News
As well as posting regular social care news updates on this page, we also provide an RSS feed for all news content posted on this website - click here to subscribe for free and keep up with everything that's going on.
View our news archive »
Number of older people receiving free care in England falls
The number of older people in England getting council-funded care has fallen by 11% in the last two years, figures obtained by the Labour party released today (May 16) suggest.
The figures were obtained under the Freedom of Information Act and data from 121 English councils showed they provided free care to 59,056 over-65s in 2011-12, down from 66,342 in 2009-10.
The drop comes despite the rise in over-65s due to the ageing population as councils struggle with squeezed budgets.
Campaigners said the figures proved the social care system needed urgent reform.
Care Services minister Paul Burstow said a White Paper would be published soon on how the government planned to reform social care. The paper was originally expected to be published at Easter this year.
Mr Burstow said: "We are working hard to secure cross-party agreement to find a sustainable long-term solution on social care funding."
Labour's Shadow Minister for Care and Older People said: "These services are a lifeline for older people and crucial to helping them stay living independently in their own homes."
For more on this story see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18026534
« back to Home Page
Care Compare Wales
Search our database of more than 450 quality care providers by county,
region,
care category
or keyword.
