Government to announce cap on care costs, say media reports

It is being suggested in the media that they will announce a cap of £75,000 on 'care costs' and a raising of the means test threshold limit to £100,000. There are mixed reports about when the changes would come into force. Alzheimer's Society comment:

'This commitment to cap social care costs and raise the means test threshold is a triumph for the thousands of campaigners demanding changes. Many families face a 'Dementia Tax', paying tens of thousand of pounds for care that results from a medical condition. But the devil will be in the detail. The government must provide clarity and a timetable as soon as possible so people know how to plan for care costs now. These changes will help people in the future but we strongly urge the government to look at how to cap the costs for people paying huge sums for care today.

'We also call on all political parties to tackle the separate but related challenge of making sure that there is enough funding in the care system to provide access to good quality care for people at the right time. Ministers in Wales and Northern Ireland must also act to ensure that people there have the prospect of a better deal too.'

Jeremy Hughes
Chief Executive
Alzheimer's Society

Further Information

• Find out more about our Charging for care campaign