England’s elderly getting left behind by soaring care bills
SOARING care costs mean the elderly pay some of the highest bills of any advanced economy, says a report today.
And the Government had failed to reform the system despite a host of reviews since 1995, said Age UK.
The charity’s Caroline Abrahams added: “Sadly, England has been left behind. A generation of older people has lost out.”
It found the council care income limit had stayed at £23,250 for a decade. An inflation rise would have taken the figure to £25,559. Average council charges rose 27%, from £2,016 a year in 2011 to £2,563 in 2014, and the weekly sum residents can keep for themselves has gone up just £2.60 to £24.30 since 2010. Germany gives non-means tested support and Japan caps payments at 10%, said Age UK. The Government has promised a report by Christmas.