DON’T MAKE US SELL OUR HOMES

Pensioners’ anger at social care bills

BRITONS are furious at having to sell the family home to pay for care bills, research has found.

Sacrificing their property is seen as a step too far for millions of pensioners, although many realise the taxpayer cannot shoulder the whole burden of the nation’s growing social care costs.

As many as 50,000 were forced to sell their home to pay for care last year, latest figures from the House of Commons library reveal.

And two thirds of those questioned in a survey said they believe payments for social care should be shared between them and the Government.

But nine in 10 want to see a solid cap on any contributions from individuals.

Only one in four believe the Government should pay all costs, recognising that this could place an unreasonable

burden on future taxpayers as more people need social care in old age.

This finding was consistent across all age groups, showing welcome signs of agreement on a topic which could have divided the generations.

But the recent Conservative manifesto, which proposed to include the value of a home in any care assessment, was unpopular with many critics who said it cost the party the election.

Consult

In the research by life insurance, pensions and asset management provider Aegon, 61 per cent were against this policy. Objections were highest among older groups, with 73 per cent of those aged 65-plus against it.

And more than half – 53 per cent – of 18-34-year-olds were also against it.

The research was published as the Government prepares to consult on how to cover the cost of social care.

Steven Cameron, pensions director at Aegon, said: “As the Government prepares to consult on this controversial but hugely important topic, our research has shown a keen interest across the ages in finding a fair solution. As many as 87 per cent of people believe there should be an overall maximum an individual should ever face paying, suggesting the Government needs to honour its pre-election promise of an overall cap in its consultation.

“Taking people’s house value into account when determining if people have sufficient assets to be paying for care may prove controversial with a clear majority of people unwilling to sacrifice their home.”

The average cost of a care home place is £600 a week.

Currently, if someone needing support has capital – including the value of any property – or income above £23,250 they are likely to have to pay care fees.

Simon Bottery, policy director at Independent Age, said: “It is deeply unfair that thousands of people still find themselves forced to sell their home to pay for their care home fees.

“The gross injustice of the current system is one of the reasons why it is essential the Government commits to finding a fairer and sustainable method of funding our care in the future.”

And this is a view shared by the younger generation, with 72 per cent of 18 to 34-year-olds in the survey showing interest in “advanced funding solutions” to fund their long-term care.