Social Care: Sustainable Funding

Lord Strathclyde Excerpts

Tuesday 17th July 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Campbell of Surbiton]

My Lords—

[The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Strathclyde)]

My Lords, can we hear from the noble Baroness, Lady Campbell?

[Baroness Campbell of Surbiton]

My Lords, is the noble Earl aware that while these complex funding matters are being considered, many local authorities are severely reducing the levels of support provided to disabled people in ways that can curtail their independence, prevent them from working and participating in public life and, in some cases, force them into residential care? Is he aware, for example, that Worcestershire County Council proposes to radically restrict the maximum value of an individual disabled person’s care package, offering them no other choice than to enter residential care if they cannot meet the shortfall? Surely the Minister agrees that this runs entirely counter to the White Paper and government policy?