Giving people who use social care service control of their own budgets is a welcome move, but it risks being a hollow gesture if the Government imposes a 25 per cent spending cut on social care in October’s spending review, says Age UK.
Care Minister Paul Burstow MP today announced the Government’s intention to allow all recipients of social care to have control of their personal budgets.
Commenting, Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director at Age UK, said:
“Personal budgets can enable people in later life to live fuller and more independent lives. Many people who receive social care will welcome greater choice and control over their personal budgets.
“But at a time when social care spending faces being cut by 25 per cent, then people are right to question whether this is all smoke and mirrors. If the Treasury cuts social care by 25 per cent, three out of four of the 650,000 older and disabled people in England who currently receive home-based care will lose this support, whether it comes as a personal budget or not.
“It is a hollow gesture to give people greater control with personal budgets if spending cuts mean that three out of four recipients will lose them again over the next few years.
Source: Age UK