Age UK welcomes Jeremy Hunt conference speech

Tuesday, 09 October 2012

“While we welcome the commitment from the Secretary of State to creating an NHS and social care system fit for an ageing population, we want to stress the urgency of sorting out the crisis in care."

"For years the social care system has been systematically starved of funds, with investment failing to keep pace with the growing needs of an ageing population. At the same time the complicated and unfair rules for people who find themselves having to foot the bill for their own care have been left untouched."

“There is a real need to know for all those working in and cared for by the system when the Government plan to put the Dilnot reforms into action.   If the Government puts a £35,000 cap on lifetime care costs this would change the lives of older people, relieving them and their families from the fear of spiralling care costs.  It would be a brave and courageous step, and one that would leave a compassionate legacy that could help transform our social care system."

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director General at Age UK.