Elderly ‘back 5% death tax’ to fund care

A ‘DEATH tax’ to fix england’s broken care system has the backing of the elderly, Age UK told ministers last night.

the charity said it had found many older people would be happy for a 5 per cent levy on their estates when they died.

they said the cash was needed to end ‘harrowing’ cases of social- care failings including rushed ‘tick-box’ visits.

however, a ‘death tax’ would see loved ones who are already hit by 40 per cent inheritance tax on sums over £325,000 receive even less money.

Age UK said many families were at breaking point, with one wife forced to put signs in her husband’s care-home room to remind staff to give him a drink.

Older people said they believed ‘everyone should contribute in some way’.

Another idea supported by the pensioners was an extra penny on National Insurance – a tax from which the over-65s are exempt.

the ideas came from 13 Age UK focus groups – some attended by theresa May and health Secretary Jeremy hunt.

the charity is a key member of Mr hunt’s advisory committee ahead of his Green Paper on the future of social care.

the proposal to compulsorily take money out of estates comes as the threshold for inheritance tax is gradually increased until it reaches £500,000 by 2020.