Dilnot report response

Campaigners have today welcomed proposals that could influence the way we pay for our care in Wales.

Age Cymru has been responding to the Commission on Funding of Care and Support’s report into introducing a fairer system of paying for care in England.

The charity’s Head of Policy Graeme Francis says:

“We welcome the Dilnot Commission recommendations which set out a clear blueprint for long-term, sustainable reform of social care.

“It is vital that older people are guaranteed high-quality care when they need it and we also need a fairer way for paying for long-term care in Wales. 

“Setting a clear cap of £35,000 on contributions towards the cost of care would help alleviate the fear and uncertainty that many people experience in the current system and help protect those who are currently paying extremely high care charges.

“People with over £22,500 in savings, capital or assets currently have to meet their own care costs in full, and Age Cymru welcomes the Commission’s proposal to greatly increase the means-test threshold for residential care services to £100,000.“

Age Cymru has also welcomed the report’s calls for the disability benefits system not to be changed.

Graeme Francis explains:

“We are pleased that the Commission recommends that universal disability benefits for people of all ages should continue as now.

“Attendance Allowance is vital form of support for older people with disabilities and we opposed any changes to this.”

He concludes:

“The UK Government now needs to act on Andrew Dilnot’s proposals and follow the Commission’s ambitious but achievable timetable of a White Paper by the spring.

“The Welsh Government must also follow suit and outline how Wales will react to the proposals.”