Acrimony sours elderly care debate
By Alex Stevenson Prospects for cross-party talks on reforming elderly care in England and Wales diminished over the weekend as the media glare hardened negotiating positions. Health secretary Andy Burnham and his Conservative and Liberal Democrat shadows Andrew Lansley and Norman Lamb appeared together on BBC1’s The Politics Show to discuss the state of their […]
Mandy attacks Cameron’s death tax ‘wrecking ball’
By Alex Stevenson Peter Mandelson has intervened in the ‘death tax’ debate by calling David Cameron’s alleged decision to cut off cross-party talks “contemptible”. It follows shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley’s denial that he walked out of talks on reforming social care because the Conservative leader told him to. Mr Lansley launched a ‘death tax’ […]
Brown dodges ‘death tax’ claims
By Alex Stevenson Gordon Brown avoided ruling out a compulsory inheritance tax levy to help fund his social care plans, amid intense criticism of his proposals. Prime minister’s questions was dominated by David Cameron’s questions on the issue, after the Tories accused Labour of planning to impose a uniform £20,000 ‘death tax’ in the party’s […]
Councillors unimpressed by Brown’s care plan
By Alex Stevenson An alliance of councillors from across the country has attacked Gordon Brown’s plans to expand care for the elderly. In a letter to the Times newspaper 70 councillors with responsibility for social care provision argue that his pledge to provide free domiciliary care for the most needy – around 250,000 – is […]
Analysis: ‘Death tax’ and the perils of spin
The Conservatives, as David Cameron knows too well, are like any other modern political party. The 24-hour news cycle often serves as an advantage. But it can quickly become a curse. By Alex Stevenson “We understand the pressure of the impatient 24-hour media and we will always fight our corner,” the Tory leader told attentive […]
Brown’s ‘death tax’ denied
By Alex Stevenson Plans to impose a £20,000 inheritance tax to help finance improved social care provision have been denied by the government. The Guardian newspaper had reported the levy was being considered as a replacement for the current system, whereby older people are forced to sell their homes to pay for care. Health secretary […]
Peers defeat social care challenge
By Alex Stevenson A former health minister’s attempt to derail the government’s proposals for free social care failed in the Lords last night, as consensus over the policy remains elusive. Lord Warner served in Tony Blair’s government but attacked the proposed free social care policy for those with high levels of need, which was initially […]
Webchat: Care services with Phil Hope
Care services minister Phil Hope takes part in a webchat about proposed changes to the care system – and the future of the sector. There are currently six million people across the UK who provide unpaid care to someone they know – a figure that will only increase with Britain’s ageing population. The government’s green […]
Carers baffled by benefit complexity
By politics.co.uk staff Millions of people who care for ill relatives or friends are being let down by the government, a report has claimed. The public accounts committee has attacked the benefits system which distributes money to carers and those being cared for as unnecessarily complicated. Its latest report is critical of the way the […]
‘Cruel’ NHS nurses mistreat elderly
By Liz Stephens Some elderly and terminally-ill patients are being treated in an appalling manner by “bad, cruel nurses” according to the Patients Association. The report published today by the charity details “a consistent pattern of shocking standards of care”. It contains accounts of people allegedly left lying in their own faeces and urine and […]
