Free from cradle to grave
Monday 4th July 2011
DILNOT CONFUSION FALLS FAR
SHORT OF SOLVING THE PROBLEM OF CARE FUNDING SAYS
GMB
What the British people want and
deserve is a national care service like the NHS free at the point
of use and funded cradle to grave by general taxation says
GMB
GMB, the main union representing staff in care
homes, reacted to publication of the Dilnot report.
Justin Bowden National Officer for the care
sector said "Looking through Dilnott's recommendations you
quickly come to the view that rather than go the whole hog and call
for the obvious and the simple: universal state provision of care
funded from taxation, in fact he bottled it. No doubt the City's
troughs will be lined with snouts eager to gorge themselves on the
commission earned from the premiums all those who afford it will be
forced to take out.
When will the economists and
politicians learn the lessons of Southern Cross? Big business
always puts profits before people eventually and just like Southern
Cross, they will do the same with this part of the care sector.
Getting old and needing to be cared for shouldn't be seen as a
state burden on the one hand and a cash opportunity for business on
the other, quite the contrary it is just as essential as healthcare
and schooling and a litmus test of dignity in a caring society.
Britain is not a poor country and we can afford to properly care
for our elderly and vulnerable as well as bail out
bankers."
GMB is pleased that Dilnot has
recognised that the current system is not fit for purpose, but his
recommendations are far from straightforward. It doesn't look to be
as simple as saying, 'there will be a cap'. In reality, Dilnot
seems to be separating care into three components and setting a
different funding arrangement for each (see note 1). This leaves a
very confusing picture for those who might need elderly care in the
future and those expected to provide it. It will only add to the
confusion surrounding care-home companies like Southern
Cross.
GMB made the case to the Commission
that what the British people want and deserve is a national care
service equivalent to the NHS, free at the point of use and funded
by general taxation. Most of the respondents to the Commission's
own canvassing started from this position (see note 2). It looks as
though the Commission has well and truly balked on
that.
GMB also made clear to the Commission
that the money you put into social care is only one side of the
story. A lot of public money has been leaking out of social care as
an after-effect of the privatisation of much of the sector. GMB has
highlighted for some time the sky-high rents paid to landlords of
Southern Cross care homes, which have played a major part in
destabilising the country's largest care-home
operator."
End
Contact: Justin Bowden 07710
631 351 or GMB press office Rose Conroy on 07974 251823 or Steve
Pryle on 07921 289880
Notes:
1) Dilnot has recommended (a) "capping
the lifetime contribution to adult social care costs that any
individual needs to make at between £25,000 and £50,000"; (b) that
"the asset threshold for those in residential care beyond which no
means-tested help is given should increase from £23,250 to
£100,000"; and (c) that people in residential care should pay
£10,000 p.a. "maximum contribution" "towards their general living
costs".
2) Dilnot Commission, "Public engagement
exploring care and support funding options TNS-BMRB Report of
findings" (May 2011); available at
https://www.wp.dh.gov.uk/carecommission/files/2011/05/TNS-BMRB-Report-of-findings.-final.pdf.