Free care Bill at risk as Parliament dissolves

8 Apr 10
Flagship government plans to provide free personal care for those with the greatest need are in doubt following a pre-election deal with the Opposition.
By David Williams

8 April 2010

Flagship government plans to provide free personal care for those with the greatest need are in doubt following a pre-election deal with the Opposition.

As Public Finance went to press, the Personal Care at Home Bill was likely to be passed in the ‘wash-up’ process, where outstanding legislation is rushed on to the statute book between an election being called and Parliament being dissolved. This requires support from both sides of the Commons.

However, an amendment by the House of Lords – which the Opposition insisted on being incorporated in the Bill – requires further votes in both houses at a later date, which would be after the election.

With the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats both opposed to the Bill, this means it is likely that Labour would have to win an overall majority after the election for the plans to be implemented.

The Bill had faced stern opposition in the Lords amid claims that it was not properly financed.

The Department of Health estimated that it would cost £670m to provide free home care to the 400,000 people most in need, and had set aside £420m of its own budget.

But councils, which would be required to find the remaining £250m in savings, feared the true costs could be greater.

Labour peer Lord Lipsey, one of the leading opponents of the Bill, told PF that social care reform was so important that it should not be reduced to an ‘election gimmick’.

‘To try to turn this into a party political issue was a grave mistake,’ he said. ‘Those that are sceptical about the Bill will be extremely satisfied. Job done.’

But Michelle Mitchell, charity director of Age UK, called on whoever forms the next government to stick with the Bill.

She said: ‘People with high care needs already find coping with their situation very stressful, so it’s important this Bill goes through as it has the potential to bring great relief and enable people to live independently for longer.’

The Bill was due to go to the House of Lords for final approval on April 8.

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