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800,000 'not given help with social care' | 800,000 'not given help with social care' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News | |
Hundreds of thousands of older people in England who need social care are not getting any support from the state or private sector, campaigners say. | Hundreds of thousands of older people in England who need social care are not getting any support from the state or private sector, campaigners say. |
Age UK says 800,000 people are excluded from the system - and the figure is set to top one million within four years. | Age UK says 800,000 people are excluded from the system - and the figure is set to top one million within four years. |
It said budgets had hardly risen in recent years even before the squeeze, despite the ageing population. | It said budgets had hardly risen in recent years even before the squeeze, despite the ageing population. |
The charity renewed its call for an overhaul of the system, something ministers are looking at. | The charity renewed its call for an overhaul of the system, something ministers are looking at. |
Funding rise | Funding rise |
Social care in England is means-tested, which means those with savings of over £23,250 are excluded. | Social care in England is means-tested, which means those with savings of over £23,250 are excluded. |
But councils have also been making it more difficult for those who do meet the income threshold to get care, by tightening the eligibility criteria. | But councils have also been making it more difficult for those who do meet the income threshold to get care, by tightening the eligibility criteria. |
Six years ago, half of councils provided support to people with moderate needs, but that figure has now dropped to 18%. | Six years ago, half of councils provided support to people with moderate needs, but that figure has now dropped to 18%. |
It means only 1.2 million are getting formal care either at home or in a care home - although some of these are being forced to pay for the services themselves anyway, as they exceed the income cap. | It means only 1.2 million are getting formal care either at home or in a care home - although some of these are being forced to pay for the services themselves anyway, as they exceed the income cap. |
The report - based on previously published data by government bodies and independent researchers - pointed out while the NHS had received significant budget rises in recent years, social care increases had stalled. | The report - based on previously published data by government bodies and independent researchers - pointed out while the NHS had received significant budget rises in recent years, social care increases had stalled. |
Once inflation is taken into account, funding has only been rising by 0.1% a year since 2004 - equivalent to £43m. By comparison, the NHS budget rose by £25bn. | Once inflation is taken into account, funding has only been rising by 0.1% a year since 2004 - equivalent to £43m. By comparison, the NHS budget rose by £25bn. |
Mounting problems | Mounting problems |
Michelle Mitchell, charity director of Age UK, said: "The figures we have uncovered beggar belief. Care and support in England has reached breaking point, putting older people at risk and their families under intolerable strain." | Michelle Mitchell, charity director of Age UK, said: "The figures we have uncovered beggar belief. Care and support in England has reached breaking point, putting older people at risk and their families under intolerable strain." |
The charity has been calling for means-testing to be scrapped so that a universal system could be created, guaranteeing everyone a certain level of support if needed. | The charity has been calling for means-testing to be scrapped so that a universal system could be created, guaranteeing everyone a certain level of support if needed. |
The government has set up a review of the system and is expected to publish plans for reform later this year. | The government has set up a review of the system and is expected to publish plans for reform later this year. |
Other parts of the UK are also looking at how they provide social care amid mounting problems. | Other parts of the UK are also looking at how they provide social care amid mounting problems. |
A Department of Health spokesman said: "The government recognises the urgent need to reform the social care system - an ageing population and rising expectations make the current system completely unsustainable." | A Department of Health spokesman said: "The government recognises the urgent need to reform the social care system - an ageing population and rising expectations make the current system completely unsustainable." |
He added the plans to be put forward later this year would "put in place a lasting and fair settlement for social care". | He added the plans to be put forward later this year would "put in place a lasting and fair settlement for social care". |
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