Hitting the most vulnerable

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 14th Oct 2004

Home Care Charges soar

Liberal Democrat Councillor David Ward (Chair of the Bradford North Area Committee) has hit out at the decision made by the Bradford Council Executive to increase the charges for Home Care.

He said,

"The Conservatives are once again attacking the most vulnerable people. They have increased the maximum amount that people pay each week for home care by £10 a week which is a 17% rise. They have also increased the charge against Severe Disability Premium from £4.40 to £6.60 which is a 50% rise.

There will be people in my area who will really struggle to pay this or risk losing their valued independence.

Liberal Democrats believe that all personal care (that is, care which involves touching someone) should be free. This would be paid for nationally by having a top rate of Income tax of 50% for people earning over £100,000 a year."