Age UK statement on Care Bill

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director General at Age UK says:

'We welcome the Care Bill as having the potential to transform our crumbling, unfair social care system.

'But for the Government's vision to succeed we must see the legislation twinned with both an emergency injection of funds to stop the system spiralling further into crisis, and a commitment that everyone assessed as having so called moderate needs is given access to the system.

'If the eligibility criteria set by the Government exclude those with "moderate" needs, many of those who cannot carry out everyday tasks such as washing, getting dressed, preparing food and laundry will be left without help or will have to pay for it themselves.

'The Government's care cap announcement allowed people to think they would all be entitled to help in limiting care costs if they need care in later life.

'But unless access to care is set at moderate then only when people develop very high levels of need will the cost of care start to count towards the cap. Many people will feel badly let down by the government if only those assessed as having "substantial" needs can get help with future care costs.

'Good standards of care make both moral and economic sense. Well-funded social care can allow people to remain part of their community thus reducing the costs and additional pressure on the NHS by avoiding preventable hospital admissions.'

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Media contact:  Liz Fairweather

Tel: 020 3033 1718

Out of hours: 07071 243 243

Ref: CASLFCMM

Notes to editors

Age UK

For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over six million people; commercial products and services to well over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we").  Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).