Care Bill [Lords]

Debate between Andy Burnham and Sheila Gilmore

Monday 16th December 2013 Commons Chamber

[Andy Burnham]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. This Bill promises far-off help for people while services are getting worse right now, because the Government have failed to address the crisis in local government’s ability to fund social care.

[Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab)]

Will my right hon. Friend give way?

[Andy Burnham]

I shall in a moment.

What are the direct and practical effects of those cuts to council budgets? First, councils have cut eligibility criteria, so more people are exposed to care charges in a way that they were not before. Secondly, those care charges are now rising above inflation year on year, so more people are exposed to higher charges. This means that they are now more likely to pay right up to the new cap that the Government are introducing. That will not feel like progress to the public, and that is why we are making our reasoned objection to the Bill.