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Tories 'not attending' care talks 'Death tax' best for social care
(about 3 hours later)
The Conservatives are refusing to take part in a conference about the future of social care in England, as they say the summit is a "political ploy". The government is under pressure to back a compulsory fee to pay for social care in England.
Labour and the Lib Dems will join care providers and charities in talks over options for a national care service. The Department of Health is currently hosting a meeting of charities, council chiefs and care providers in a bid to achieve a consensus on reforming care.
Many are likely to tell ministers a compulsory fee would be the best funding option, the BBC understands. Representatives told the BBC ahead of the summit they wanted to see the levy brought in.
The Tories have refused to take part, dubbing the levy a "death tax" and calling for a voluntary scheme instead.
The Liberal Democrats are attending the meeting, held at the Department of Health's London HQ, and have said they are open to the idea of a compulsory charge.
Opening the talks, Health Secretary Andy Burnham said the issue was bigger than "any single political party".
Rows
It comes after a fortnight of rows between the parties over the best way to reform the means-tested service.
Government "age champion" Dame Joan Bakewell attacked politicians for "political point scoring" on the issue.Government "age champion" Dame Joan Bakewell attacked politicians for "political point scoring" on the issue.
The Tories have dubbed the idea a "death tax". Last year, Labour set out a range of options in a Green Paper on how the system could be overhauled.
'Silent heroes'
Last year, Labour set out a range of options in a Green Paper on how the means-tested system could be overhauled.
One of the suggestions was a compulsory fee, possibly up to £20,000, which could be taken from an individual's estate after death.One of the suggestions was a compulsory fee, possibly up to £20,000, which could be taken from an individual's estate after death.
It is time for a serious debate. We believe a system that involves everyone is the only way to properly fund care Stephen Burke, of Counsel and CareIt is time for a serious debate. We believe a system that involves everyone is the only way to properly fund care Stephen Burke, of Counsel and Care
The Conservatives vehemently oppose this idea, claiming it would penalise families who want to look after elderly relatives themselves. They favour a voluntary scheme.The Conservatives vehemently oppose this idea, claiming it would penalise families who want to look after elderly relatives themselves. They favour a voluntary scheme.
The issue has proved a major sticking point and caused secret talks between the three main parties to break down.The issue has proved a major sticking point and caused secret talks between the three main parties to break down.
Health Secretary Andy Burnham called Friday's conference, but Conservative health spokesman Andrew Lansley has said he will not be there. Health Secretary Andy Burnham called Friday's conference.
Mr Lansley told GMTV that the talks were "a Labour Party political ploy". But shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley told GMTV that these talks were "a Labour Party political ploy".
He added: "I will talk to anybody, anytime, anywhere, but I won't take part in a Labour party political smokescreen that stops people making progress and covers up the fact that they are pursuing the option of a compulsory death tax."He added: "I will talk to anybody, anytime, anywhere, but I won't take part in a Labour party political smokescreen that stops people making progress and covers up the fact that they are pursuing the option of a compulsory death tax."
'Most in need'
In a letter to those taking part in the conference, Mr Burnham acknowledged that there were "pros and cons" to each funding proposal.In a letter to those taking part in the conference, Mr Burnham acknowledged that there were "pros and cons" to each funding proposal.
"A voluntary option gives people more choice and control but will not cover everyone," he wrote."A voluntary option gives people more choice and control but will not cover everyone," he wrote.
"A compulsory option provides peace of mind and care free at the point of use when needed, but restricts choice.""A compulsory option provides peace of mind and care free at the point of use when needed, but restricts choice."
Consensus
Dame Joan Bakewell, the government-appointed Voice of Older People, said no-one should expect to have a new policy "written in stone within a few weeks".Dame Joan Bakewell, the government-appointed Voice of Older People, said no-one should expect to have a new policy "written in stone within a few weeks".
She added: "I think it's a very, very big issue indeed and it's going to take time to arrive at a consensus.She added: "I think it's a very, very big issue indeed and it's going to take time to arrive at a consensus.
"And this flurry of political point scoring is just getting in the way of it, because really the politicians need to listen more and do less sparring with each other.""And this flurry of political point scoring is just getting in the way of it, because really the politicians need to listen more and do less sparring with each other."
We don't need a political bun fight because then it will be put into the 'too difficult box' Association of Directors of Adult Social ServicesWe don't need a political bun fight because then it will be put into the 'too difficult box' Association of Directors of Adult Social Services
Mr Burnham will be told at the conference that he needs to be clearer about how a national care service would be funded. Representatives told the BBC they will tell Mr Burnham he needs to be clearer about how a national care service would be funded.
David Rogers, of the Local Government Association, said: "We need much greater clarity over this. We don't want to see councils left to pick up the bill."David Rogers, of the Local Government Association, said: "We need much greater clarity over this. We don't want to see councils left to pick up the bill."
He said local authorities had already had to start restricting access to services because of a lack of funding to cope with the ageing population - three-quarters of councils now only provide help to the most in need.He said local authorities had already had to start restricting access to services because of a lack of funding to cope with the ageing population - three-quarters of councils now only provide help to the most in need.
His concerns were backed by an Audit Commission report this week, which said councils were facing a struggle as the £9bn-a-year bill for older people could double by 2026.His concerns were backed by an Audit Commission report this week, which said councils were facing a struggle as the £9bn-a-year bill for older people could double by 2026.
Mr Rogers said the LGA did not have a position on which of the models for reform it preferred - this reflects the fact the group has cross-party membership.Mr Rogers said the LGA did not have a position on which of the models for reform it preferred - this reflects the fact the group has cross-party membership.
But others at the conference, being held at the Department of Health's London HQ, are expected to ask Mr Burnham to be bold and go for the compulsory charge. But others attending the conference said they were backing a compulsory charge.
'Bun fight'
Stephen Burke, of Counsel and Care, a charity for the elderly, said: "It is time for a serious debate. We believe a system that involves everyone is the only way to properly fund care."Stephen Burke, of Counsel and Care, a charity for the elderly, said: "It is time for a serious debate. We believe a system that involves everyone is the only way to properly fund care."
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services said a compulsory charge was the best way to get the most funding. The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services also said a compulsory charge was the best way to get the most funding.
Its president, Jenny Owen, said: "The problem with a voluntary scheme is that too many people opt out.Its president, Jenny Owen, said: "The problem with a voluntary scheme is that too many people opt out.
"We now need to get consensus. We don't need a political bun fight because then it will be put into the 'too difficult box'.""We now need to get consensus. We don't need a political bun fight because then it will be put into the 'too difficult box'."
Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb is expected to attend the meeting and his office said he was open to backing a compulsory charge. The government is hoping to publish its preferred plan in a White Paper in March.
The government had hoped to achieve cross-party support for a specific plan, which will be published in a White Paper in March.
The Conservatives have already published proposals for an £8,000 voluntary insurance fee to cover care home charges and is now in the process of drawing up similar plans for support at home for things such as washing, dressing and eating.
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