Minister says government has ‘been consistent’ on social care plans

In light of the news that the government’s new social care cap plans could fail to see those with lower assets spend less on social care than before, small businesses minster Paul Scully has said the government has been consistent on the matter.

During the 2019 election campaign prime minster Boris Johnson said that “No one would have to sell their homes” to afford social care under the Conservatives’ new plans.

Scully told the Sky News Breakfast programme this morning that “We have been consistent… you won’t have to spend anymore money, the cap is there of £86,000.”

When asked if Johnson was lying during his initial pledge, Scully said: “I don’t think he was… he was boiling down a complicated message” on a “complicated and thorny issue”.

Labour’s shadow health secretary John Ashworth told the programme later this morning that the plans amounted to “daylight robbery”.

The government announced its social care overhaul plan in September, in which they said no one would be made to pay over £86,000 for essential assistance such as help with such as washing, dressing and eating.

The plans also promised that those with assets below £100,000 would receive better help towards social care costs.

However any increased financial assistance will not count towards their cap, meaning that those with under £100,000 in assets will pay a higher chunk of their assets than someone with bigger savings who would hit the cap sooner.

MPs will vote on the plans later today.