Search:

Prime Minister Wants 'Fairer' Care System

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced plans to reform the social care system in a speech that kicks off a six-month public consultation focused on making care services fairer and affordable.

Mr Brown said that a radical shake-up is needed in the care system, as it faces a £6 billion shortfall in the next two decades. This shortfall has been forecast by the Department of Health, who say that a quarter of the UK adult population will be over 65 in the next 20 years, while the number of people over 85 will have doubled. Thanks to advances in medical treatment, the number of disabled people in the UK is also expected to increase. This vast growth of elderly and disabled people in the UK is expected to put a huge amount of pressure on care services and the benefits.

David Rogers, who is chairman of the Local Government Association Community Wellbeing Board, said that there was a 'black hole' in the social care budget because the government has not kept up with the demands of our ageing population. He said: "Social care budget increases have not kept pace with demographic changes, forcing councils to withdraw services for people with low and moderate needs, such as help with the cleaning and bathing."

Mr Brown said that reform was necessary to protect families who worry about selling off parent's homes and losing their inheritance in order to pay for long-term residential care. He said: "Helping relatives is a challenge that most families rise to - however difficult it becomes. But that doesn't make it any easier. Nor does it remove family worries…that at some point in the future they may have to sell a treasured home to pay for their own care."

Mr Brown said that it was "essential" that any future system would protect those who had worked hard throughout their lives. He said: "It is essential that in future there is fairness for those who work hard and save for their retirement."

The Prime Minister said that the reform was "an issue at the heart of our ambition to create a fairer Britain." However, some cynics believe that he is choosing to tackle an issue that is close to the heart of voters in order to take pressure off him following Labour's disastrous local election results. Mr Brown has also been under pressure this week following the publication of memoirs by Cherie Blair, John Prescott and Lord Levy, which focused on his relationship with former Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Article Source: http://articleaddict.com

Sylvia Fontrellini is a full time carer for old people requiring washable pants for men, washable chair pads and absorbent incontinence pads.

Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Elder Care Articles Via RSS!

Additional Articles From - Home | Family | Elder Care

Handicap Scooter - Move around with ease - By : Clint Jhonson
Handicapped Scooters-Mobility with Dignity - By : Clint Jhonson
Nova Walkers-Sturdy and Dependable mobility aids - By : Clint Jhonson
Pride Scooter Carrier-Take the mobility scooter on vacation - By : Clint Jhonson
Scooter Store California - One stop shop for Pride Go Go Scooter - By : Clint Jhonson
The best care giving service for one’s ailing family members - By : Tampa Mike
Caregivers Need Support - By : Benjamin Erickson
A Guide to single baby prams and strollers - By : davidb
Life after Retirement - By : Dev Saras
Society Security & Senior Citizens - By : Dev Saras

	Print This Article

	Add To Favorites
	Email to Friends
	Ezine Ready

Submit Articles
Member Login
Top Authors
Most Popular Articles
Submission Guidelines
Article RSS Feeds

New Stuff
About Us
Free Link Directory
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Sitemap