Jul 2, 2011
Lib Dems call on Labour to back reform of social care funding
Cllr Daisy Benson, Group Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Reading Borough Council and former Lead Member for Social Care is urging Labour Lead Councillor for Social Care Cllr Mike Orton to add his name to calls for reform to social care funding ahead of the publication of an independent review on July 4.
Andrew Dilnot, Independent Chair of the Commission on funding of care and support is due to publish his recommendations to the Coalition Government on reforming social care funding next week and the Local Government Association which represents councils is campaigning for action.
Cllr Benson has written to Cllr Orton and urging him to add his name to a declaration put forward by the Local Government Association.
Cllr Daisy Benson said:
“The current system of funding social care is broken and I am aware it causes many older people and families in Reading huge anxiety.”
“Social care funding arrangements including the level at which people contribute to their care are set by Government not local councils.”
“With a growing aging population there is an urgent need to reform social care funding to ensure it is fairer and more sustainable.”
“There is a danger that this issue could be kicked into the long grass and I think that would be a huge missed opportunity to make the current system better for everyone.”
“It is essential that all politicians from all political parties put politics aside and work together at national level to sort out social care funding to ensure everyone regardless of income can be happy, health and secure in old age.”
