MAY stealth scheme means Sevenoaks and Swanley pensioners will pay more for vital social care - Stop the Tory Dementia Tax Now!

Conservative manifesto plans by Theresa May will mean the average household in Sevenoaks and Swanley could be forced to pay much more of the value of their homes for vital social care. Lib Dem figures show that 9 out of 10 households could be affected by the Tory stealth tax.

These Tory election policy proposals, which would mean that people would be forced to hand over assets worth over £100,000 to pay for social care at home, would have a particularly damaging impact on sufferers of dementia, who have complicated long-term health needs.

With a cap of £200,000, someone receiving ten years of care living in an average-priced home in England would face a bill of £173,000 under the Tory dementia tax.

Local authorities in England are also set to build up £11 billion of debt as a result of Theresa May's proposed Dementia Tax, analysis by the Liberal Democrats has shown.

The Lib Dems have hit out at Tory plans for a 'dementia stealth tax', and are instead calling for a cap of £72,000 to protect people from crippling care costs.

Alan Bullion, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Sevenoaks and Swanley said:

"The Conservative Manifesto shows us that the nasty party is back. Theresa May is betraying the frail and elderly by snatching back their homes when they pass away.

"Many elderly people currently face the cruel situation of having to sell their home when they die to fund residential care home costs. Now the frail and elderly receiving care in their own home will face a 'Personal Death Tax' charged against their home. And the more help you need, the more Theresa May will snatch away when you die.

"It's clear that if the Conservatives get their way, as you get old and frail the costs are down to you and you alone. This comes alongside their proposed cap on the Winter Heating allowance, which will compel the elderly to visit shopping centres and libraries to keep warm.

"This wealthy Tory clearly has no clue as to the lives most people live. The Liberal Democrats will stand up to Theresa May's cold, mean-spirited Britain, protecting those that need the most help and fighting for a cap on social care costs of £75,000 to protect people in their old age."

Under Conservative proposals, for the first time, many people who receive care at home will have their home taken into account, to meet the costs when they die.

This will apply to the almost half a million people who receive domiciliary care in the UK. Figures on the share of the average family home expected to be spent on social care costs by area can be found here, based on calculations provided by Royal London.

The Liberal Democrats in coalition secured a commitment to introduce a cap on care costs from 2016. However this was first delayed by the Conservative government and has now been scrapped.

The Lib Dems have committed in their manifesto to implementing the recommendations of the Dilnot Commission, which would mean a cap on care costs of £72,000.

"The Liberal Democrats are the only party who have a costed plan to save social care and are the only party who will stand up to Theresa May's mean-spirited vision for Britain."

Vote for Alan Bullion your Lib Dem candidate on June 8th. Stop Theresa May's Tory Dementia Tax in its tracks!

action@sevenoakslibdems.org.uk



Published and Promoted by Alastair MacPherson, on behalf of Alan Bullion and Sevenoaks Lib Dems, all at 44 Well Road, Otford, Sevenoaks, Kent.