Tories claim elderly could lose out under reforms plan

Andrew Lansley, the shadow health secretary, launched a strong attack on the measure identified by the government as one of the most important in the Queen's speech as two Labour peers also criticised it in the strongest terms.

The Tories said that Andy Burnham, the health secretary, had indicated that two benefits claimed by the over-65s could contribute to the funding of the new care package. They said that 2.4 million pensioners claimed the two benefits and that, if they were to be abolished completely, the elderly would lose a total of £8 billion (Dh49 billion).

The two Labour peers, Lord Lipsey and Lord Warner, criticised the plan on different grounds. Lipsey said it would cost too much and Warner said it had not been properly thought through.

The personal care at home bill is designed to allay growing concern that pensioners are being forced to spend all their savings and sell property in order to fund care. It was presented by Gordon Brown on Wednesday as a step towards his long-term ambition of establishing a National Care Service to match the National Health Service.

The government said it would cost £670 million and that it would help around 400,000 people with care needs.

Attack

But yesterday Lansley and Theresa May, the shadow work and pensions secretary, held a news conference to attack the plan. In a briefing note, they said that Burnham had suggested that disability living allowance for the over-65s, and attendance allowance, a benefit only paid to the over-65s, could both be cut as a result of the government's plans.

Around 1.6 million people claim attendance allowance and on average they receive £60 a week. Another 800,000 over-65s receive disability living allowance and on average they receive £75 a week.

The Tories claimed the government plan could involve "taking on average £3,400 a year away from 2.4 million pensioners, wrecking their chances of living independently and having the freedom to tailor their care to their needs."

— Guardian News & Media Ltd