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Lansley denies Cameron axed talks Mandelson: Tories 'wrecked' talks
(about 2 hours later)
Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley has denied being ordered to pull out of cross-party talks on elderly care. Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has accused David Cameron of "driving a wrecking ball" through efforts to get a cross-party consensus on elderly care.
Mr Lansley told the BBC it was "not true" Tory leader David Cameron ordered him to end talks on free personal care for vulnerable people in England. He claimed the Tory leader had acted for "political advantage" in attacking plans for free care at home in England.
Lib Dem spokesman Norman Lamb said the three parties had been close to a deal when talks "collapsed in acrimony". There were talks between the parties but this week Mr Cameron accused Labour of planning a "death tax" to fund it.
Lord Mandelson accused Mr Cameron of "wrecking" his health spokesman's efforts to find a consensus. Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley denied Mr Cameron stopped the talks and said he was right to attack the PM.
The business secretary said: "While the shadow health secretary was prepared to talk about the options on elderly care that we need for the future, David Cameron could think only of political advantage.
"Clearly, David Cameron drove a wrecking ball through the consensus on care - not to help the older people of this country but to indulge in playground politics. It is cynical, short-sighted and contemptible behaviour."
'Death tax' attack
Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced plans for free personal care at home for the most needy elderly people in England at the Labour Party conference last year, mirroring the system in Scotland.Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced plans for free personal care at home for the most needy elderly people in England at the Labour Party conference last year, mirroring the system in Scotland.
The service - for people needing help eating, washing and dressing - is currently means-tested and there has been criticism that it penalises people on modest incomes who have saved for old age. It is estimated that 280,000 people could qualify. 'Death tax' attack
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/default.stm">More from Today programme The service - for people needing help eating, washing and dressing - is currently means-tested and there has been criticism that it penalises people on modest incomes who have saved for old age.
It is estimated that 280,000 people could qualify.
It is cynical, short-sighted and contemptible behaviour Lord Mandelson
It has emerged that the health spokesmen from three main parties have had discussions about agreeing a joint policy.It has emerged that the health spokesmen from three main parties have had discussions about agreeing a joint policy.
But on Wednesday the Conservatives launched a new election poster accusing the government of planning a £20,000 "death tax" to pay for the measure.But on Wednesday the Conservatives launched a new election poster accusing the government of planning a £20,000 "death tax" to pay for the measure.
At prime minister's questions Mr Cameron repeatedly challenged Mr Brown to say he would rule out a compulsory £20,000 charge levied from someone's estate after death - which was one option outlined in a Green Paper looking at ways to extend free care to more people.At prime minister's questions Mr Cameron repeatedly challenged Mr Brown to say he would rule out a compulsory £20,000 charge levied from someone's estate after death - which was one option outlined in a Green Paper looking at ways to extend free care to more people.
Insurance scheme
Health Secretary Andy Burnham has said no decision has been taken on the options - which also include greater state contributions to the cost of care and a voluntary insurance scheme.Health Secretary Andy Burnham has said no decision has been taken on the options - which also include greater state contributions to the cost of care and a voluntary insurance scheme.
Mr Lamb, the Lib Dems health spokesman, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the three parties had agreed on a set of "clearly shared principles" before talks "collapsed in acrimony". Lord Mandelson said: "While the shadow health secretary was prepared to talk about the options on elderly care that we need for the future, David Cameron could think only of political advantage.
Compulsory levy FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/default.stm">More from Today programme
"Clearly, David Cameron drove a wrecking ball through the consensus on care - not to help the older people of this country but to indulge in playground politics. It is cynical, short-sighted and contemptible behaviour."
Norman Lamb, the Lib Dems health spokesman, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the three parties had agreed on a set of "clearly shared principles" before talks "collapsed in acrimony".
He said the parties should work together and bury their differences: "We have got a system that is in crisis. Many elderly people don't get the care they need and people think that the funding of it is unfair."He said the parties should work together and bury their differences: "We have got a system that is in crisis. Many elderly people don't get the care they need and people think that the funding of it is unfair."
For the Conservatives, Mr Lansley said it was "not true" Mr Cameron had ordered him to pull out of the talks when he learned of them.For the Conservatives, Mr Lansley said it was "not true" Mr Cameron had ordered him to pull out of the talks when he learned of them.
"After we had had these talks I told David Cameron about them and... he said that's fine," he said."After we had had these talks I told David Cameron about them and... he said that's fine," he said.
I don't think it dignifies that debate when we have posters put up on half stories in a newspaper Andy BurnhamHealth secretary Mr Lansley said no agreement had been reached and the parties had been free to criticise each other's policies - adding a newspaper article on Tuesday had suggested the health secretary was pushing for the £20,000 compulsory levy to be in Labour's manifesto.
Mr Lansley said no agreement had been reached and the parties had been free to criticise each other's policies - adding a newspaper article on Tuesday had suggested Mr Burnham was pushing for the £20,000 compulsory levy to be in Labour's manifesto. "It was necessary to criticise it, right to criticise it, because frankly it's an extremely bad policy," said Mr Lansley.
"It was necessary to criticise it, right to criticise it, because frankly it's an extremely bad policy.
"With less than three months to go until an election, the public have a right to for there to be a serious debate about how the future system of social care is to be funded.""With less than three months to go until an election, the public have a right to for there to be a serious debate about how the future system of social care is to be funded."
There was cross-party agreement that a more personalised care system was needed but there was a fundamental difference of opinion on how it should be funded, he said.There was cross-party agreement that a more personalised care system was needed but there was a fundamental difference of opinion on how it should be funded, he said.
The Conservatives have floated a plan for an £8,000 voluntary charge for 65-year-olds to prevent them having to sell their homes to pay for residential care.The Conservatives have floated a plan for an £8,000 voluntary charge for 65-year-olds to prevent them having to sell their homes to pay for residential care.
Mr Lansley said: "There is no point trying to force a consensus - either it exists or it doesn't."Mr Lansley said: "There is no point trying to force a consensus - either it exists or it doesn't."