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Social care rules aim to end 'postcode lottery' Social care rules aim to end 'postcode lottery'
(35 minutes later)
The government is attempting to end the "postcode lottery" over care for elderly and disabled people in England.The government is attempting to end the "postcode lottery" over care for elderly and disabled people in England.
Under new draft rules all councils in England would have to fund services for those whose judged to have "substantial" needs, from 2015.Under new draft rules all councils in England would have to fund services for those whose judged to have "substantial" needs, from 2015.
The government says most councils do this already and the threshold is just a "starting point" for them.The government says most councils do this already and the threshold is just a "starting point" for them.
But Age UK said it could "raise the bar to entry" for those with moderate needs who needed help with everyday tasks. Charities say it is too high and would exclude hundreds of thousands of people who need help with everyday tasks.
Local Authorities run social care services, such as home help with washing, eating and dressing or residential care, and decide who they will provide them to and whether they will pay for them.Local Authorities run social care services, such as home help with washing, eating and dressing or residential care, and decide who they will provide them to and whether they will pay for them.
Little consistencyLittle consistency
Councils can assess people as having "critical", "substantial", "moderate" or "low" needs.Councils can assess people as having "critical", "substantial", "moderate" or "low" needs.
The majority of councils, 130, provide services to those with "substantial" needs, while 16 also support those with "moderate" needs and three provide care for people in all four categories.The majority of councils, 130, provide services to those with "substantial" needs, while 16 also support those with "moderate" needs and three provide care for people in all four categories.
But three councils only fund help for those assessed to have "critical" needs.But three councils only fund help for those assessed to have "critical" needs.
The government says a national minimum would stop councils reducing services due to budget cuts and would level out variations between local authorities.The government says a national minimum would stop councils reducing services due to budget cuts and would level out variations between local authorities.
Mr Lamb said the draft regulations, which are being published for discussion ahead of a formal consultation next year, would set the minimum threshold at "substantial" - the level at which most councils currently operate.Mr Lamb said the draft regulations, which are being published for discussion ahead of a formal consultation next year, would set the minimum threshold at "substantial" - the level at which most councils currently operate.
He said: "We know people are often confused about what care they can expect from their local authority and far too many end up having to fight for the care that they need because the rules are so complicated. Under the draft regulations, adults who are unable to carry out basic personal and household tasks without putting themselves at risk are among those who would be eligible for funded care.
Starting point
Mr Lamb said: "We know people are often confused about what care they can expect from their local authority and far too many end up having to fight for the care that they need because the rules are so complicated.
"In my view, we need to be clear about the basic minimum entitlements to services so that everyone can be reassured there is some level of support they can expect, regardless of where they live."In my view, we need to be clear about the basic minimum entitlements to services so that everyone can be reassured there is some level of support they can expect, regardless of where they live.
"A national minimum is exactly that - a starting point for local councils to base their care provision on.""A national minimum is exactly that - a starting point for local councils to base their care provision on."
But Age UK's Michelle Mitchell said it would effectively set the minimum level too high and exclude hundreds of thousands of elderly people with moderate needs and argued that the level should be set at those with "moderate" needs. But Age UK's Michelle Mitchell said it would effectively set the minimum level too high and exclude hundreds of thousands of elderly people with moderate needs.
"If the government is contemplating further reducing the already inadequate access to the system, then we believe many older people and their families will feel shocked and deeply disappointed."If the government is contemplating further reducing the already inadequate access to the system, then we believe many older people and their families will feel shocked and deeply disappointed.
"The impact of further raising the bar to entry not only means that those on a low income will have to have higher care needs to benefit from state funded help, but also mean that those with hard earned savings will not be able to benefit from the future cap on care costs unless they are assessed as having needs equivalent to substantial. "The impact of further raising the bar to entry not only means that those on a low income will have to have higher care needs to benefit from state funded help, but also mean that those with hard earned savings will not be able to benefit from the future cap on care costs unless they are assessed as having needs equivalent to substantial."
"Age UK believes that for the government to achieve its vision of transforming the social care system it must set the entry threshold at the level currently described as "moderate". And Richard Hawkes, head of the disability charity Scope, said the aim of ending the "postcode lottery" was welcome but added: "Under the proposals more than a hundred thousand disabled people who need care to get up, get washed and dressed and get out would be shut out of the system.
"The government has ignored disabled and older people, it's ignored public opinion and it's ignored the experts who are calling for a more preventative system to take pressure off A&E."
Councils currently spend about £16bn on social care but have had to trim the amount they spend in recent years because of spending cuts.Councils currently spend about £16bn on social care but have had to trim the amount they spend in recent years because of spending cuts.
In the Spending Review this week, George Osborne announced plans to put more money from the NHS budget into social care provided by local authorities to stop people falling "between the cracks" in the two services.In the Spending Review this week, George Osborne announced plans to put more money from the NHS budget into social care provided by local authorities to stop people falling "between the cracks" in the two services.