Picture copyright Getty Photographs
Picture copyright
Getty Photographs
A private cap on care prices in England was being thought-about by ministers previous to the coronavirus outbreak, the BBC has realized.
The thought was raised throughout talks with Sir Andrew Dilnot, the previous UK statistics chief, whose proposals for a cap have been deserted in 2017.
It’s understood a particular social care tax was amongst choices mentioned to cowl the prices.
Particulars weren’t agreed by the March Funds and have been delay until autumn.
A senior determine concerned within the talks, which passed off in January and February, mentioned there had been “90% settlement” on revisiting Sir Andrew’s mannequin.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is known to have taken half within the discussions.
Sir Andrew’s proposals would have launched a extra beneficiant means-test for presidency funding, in addition to a lifetime restrict on social care prices.
They have been put into legislation in 2014 below the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition, however delayed after which finally ditched below David Cameron.
His successor, Theresa Might, later instructed after which deserted a type of the proposals in 2017.
In contrast to well being care, social care just isn’t usually supplied without cost. In England, anybody with belongings over £23,250 is predicted to contribute to prices.
Native authorities decide their very own means-tests for these receiving care at house, which should be as beneficiant because the check for care houses.
Alongside adopting a model of the Dilnot mannequin, ministers are contemplating making modifications to the way in which the social care sector is funded, which is below extreme pressure after years of cuts to native council budgets.
One possibility is handy cash extra on to English care houses, relatively than the present mannequin of offering funding by way of native authorities.
Earlier this month, £600m in authorities funding to assist with an infection management in care houses was given to councils on a ring-fenced foundation.
Well being Secretary Matt Hancock hinted earlier this week {that a} related mannequin might be an possibility for long-term financing of the system.
‘Dignity and respect’
Senior sources have additionally informed the BBC the Conservatives severely thought-about together with offering free private care of their manifesto for final yr’s election.
Nevertheless, the concept was ditched because the celebration wished to rule out rises to revenue tax, VAT or nationwide insurance coverage.
The plan without cost private care, which is already accessible in Scotland, might have price as a lot as £10bn within the first yr. Some care prices are capped in Wales and residential care is free for the over-75s in Northern Eire.
A supply concerned within the discussions mentioned: “Nobody wished to lift taxes, so we put it off.”
The celebration’s manifesto finally promised additional funding for social care in England and to pursue cross-party talks on long-term modifications to the sector.
Ministers acknowledge reform is lengthy overdue, with a senior determine saying: “It’s apparent now that there’s a want for change.”
Downing Avenue wouldn’t touch upon the manifesto.
However a authorities spokesperson mentioned ministers stay dedicated to bringing ahead a social care plan “so everyone is handled with dignity and respect, and no one has to promote their house to pay for care”.
“The well being secretary has already sought views from throughout Parliament, however this is without doubt one of the most complicated points we face, and it’s proper we take time to develop a good, sustainable answer,” they added.
“Care houses will proceed to get all of the assist they should sort out the impacts of the pandemic, with £3.2bn to assist handle pressures in grownup social care and £600m to regulate infections in care houses.”