... as Cameron’s care cap is axed

A CAP on care home fees scheduled to begin in 0 0 has been abandoned, it emerged yesterday.

Health minister Jackie Doyle-Price yesterday confirmed there would be a fresh consultation on the policy.

David Cameron had promised to bring in an upper limit of about £75,000 on the amount Britons must pay towards their own care. His decision followed the recommendations of the 011 Dilnot commission into care funding and the cap was passed in Parliament.

But Miss Doyle- Price yesterday confirmed in a statement that ministers would not be ‘taking forward the previous Government’s plans to implement a cap on care costs in 0 0’.

Instead, she announced a process of ‘initial engagement over the coming months’ to shape long-term reforms. The decision means millions will still face the threat of enormous care bills eating away at the hard- earned inheritance they were hoping to leave their children.

The Government has been accused of dragging its feet over the social care crisis following a series of delays in introducing new measures. Ministers announced in June that there would be a green paper outlining policy ideas by the end of the year.

It came after the Government was forced to drop controversial plans for a so-called ‘dementia tax’. Last month, First Secretary of State Damian Green said the green paper had been put back to ‘summer 018’ amid disagreements over how to fund a new care package.