Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, has heavily criticised the Government’s recent changes to social care plans. Gwynne’s intervention comes as new analysis by the Labour Party using local house price data shows the changes will hammer homeowners across Denton and Reddish.
Reforms to social care plans – snuck out during Labour’s debate on Tory corruption – will see people with high care needs and assets under £186k paying more for their care.
With the average house price standing at £170,000, residents across Denton will be hit with higher costs, whilst those with homes worth over £186k will be unaffected.
Andrew Dilnot, economist and author of the report that informed the government’s plans, said he was “very disappointed” by the changes that “finds savings exclusively from the less well off.”
Commenting, Andrew Gwynne said:
“Yet again, the Government’s rhetoric on ‘levelling up’ has been shown to be completely hollow.
Hard working homeowners across Denton and Reddish will be hit hardest, whilst the wealthiest will be unaffected. It’s completely immoral.
Elderly people and their families deserve a proper social care plan, one that provides dignity and security for those who need it most. This plan is a con that will punish ordinary working people, and do nothing to solve the social care crisis.”
Liz Kendall, Shadow Minister for Social Care added:
“The Tories are imposing a punishing tax hike on ordinary working people that does nothing to ensure more people get the care they need or improve services. Instead their plans for social care have been exposed as a con that only protects the homes of the wealthiest people in the country.
“Now we know even fewer people with low and modest assets will be protected from having to sell their homes to pay for their care. Elderly people deserve much better.”