Lib Dem leader to raise party calls over social care funding
BRISTOL'S Lib Dem leader Tim Kent will raise local party calls for fairer social care funding when he meets Nick Clegg later this week.
Former Lib Dem city council leader Barbara Janke won the backing of councillors across the authority last year for a campaign to have the so-called Dilnot proposals implemented.
The Dilnot inquiry – set up by the Government to look at how Britain funds social care – recommended a cap on an older person's lifetime payments for care at £35,000.
Mr Clegg and Prime Minister David Cameron committed themselves on Monday of this week to introduce a cap on the cost of care.
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However, there were reports late last year that this would probably be set much higher than Dilnot recommends, perhaps at around £75,000.
With other Lib Dem group leaders from around the country, Mr Kent is meeting Mr Clegg in London on Thursday. He will raise a number of issues including the Dilnot recommendations.
Mr Kent, pictured, said: "How we treat the elderly is a clear expression of our humanity. At the moment, a family's life savings can be wiped out when illness suddenly strikes at an elderly relative and the family home has to be sold to pay for their care.
"For families with no assets apart from a modest home, this can be a catastrophic loss."
Mr Kent will also be raising directly with Mr Clegg the need to ensure general local government services are not cut further.
He will specifically ask the Government to help provide one-off funding to local councils to pay for the restructuring costs that will allow them to deliver more savings but protect local services.
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