Tories Accused of Having “Wrong Priorities” over Social Care

The Liberal Democrats have accused the Tories of having "wrong priorities" after they failed to support calls for the Government to save the cap in social care costs by scrapping the inheritance tax cut.

The previous coalition Government had pass legislation to implement a cap in care costs by 2016 that would ensure that no one paid more than £72,000 for their care, protecting sufferers of long term illnesses, such as dementia, that in many cases have led to spiralling care costs of over £100,000.

All three major parties promised to implement the cap in May's general election, but in June the Government announced that the cap would be "delayed" until after 2020. Most experts agree that this would lead to the policy being scrapped altogether, with a £100 million already spent in preparation for the cap going to waste.

Simon Galton said: "The Tories were elected with a manifesto promise introduce a cap on care costs by 2016, but they then scrapped it within months of being elected!

This is an outrageous betrayal of elderly people who were entitled to believe this commitment wouldn't be reneged on.

Instead, the Tories will press ahead with an inheritance tax cut that will help just 2% of the population.

I'm disappointed that the Leicestershire Tories weren't willing to stand up for their elderly residents and call on the Government to make the right priorities."