“The new funding measures are welcome, but they merely rehash the Dilnot proposals legislated for in 2014, with a higher cap. And even this cap is misleading.
It excludes board and lodging fees, only covers council-approved rates, does not apply until the person’s needs are already substantial and does not therefore reflect the actual costs people will pay for care. Indeed, the amount spent on care before reaching the cap is likely to be well over £150,000 before any public funding begins.
These measures will not resolve the care crisis – and the money raised is not even ring–fenced for care. Government has said funds will go first into the NHS, reinforcing the second-class status of social care that has led to the current crisis.
The reforms will certainly not stop people having to sell their homes to pay for care. If they must spend these amounts on care before receiving any public funding, and they cannot get NHS help, many will be forced to use up most of their savings or assets to pay for their care.” Baroness Ros Altmann