Esher and Walton MP Dominic Raab recently wrote for our Esher News publication on the importance of the Conservative government's plans to fix social care.
He said: "I know people are concerned about social care. Residents worry that bills can be unpredictable and unaffordable. It’s easy to see why, as anyone with assets over £23,250 currently pays for their care in full, which often forces people to sell their home. This can be particularly distressing for partners that care for someone with dementia.
The government’s new plan for social care addresses these fears head on.
First, there will be a new cap, of £86,000, on the amount that any individual contributes to the cost of their care. This means an end to unpredictable or unlimited fees and will enable insurers to step in with policies to help people meet their costs.
Second, there will be protection for those without substantial assets. Anyone with less than £20,000 in assets will have all care costs covered by the state, while those with between £20,000 and £100,000 will receive means-tested support.
To properly fund this, and to deal with the NHS COVID backlog, the government will introduce a new Health and Social Care Levy. This will be charged at 1.25%, based on National Insurance Contributions. The levy is progressive – higher earners pay more, with the highest-earning 14% paying around half the revenue. This plan grasps the nettle of social care reform once and for all, delivering for Elmbridge residents."
