Poots should introduce a protective cap of care costs locally – Ritchie

ULSTER Unionist Councillor Drew Ritchie has welcomed news from Westminster that social care costs for the elderly are to be capped in England.

And he has not called for Health Minister Edwin Poots to address the issue in Northern Ireland.

Alderman Ritchie said: “We very much welcome the announcement that the Westminster government is going to do something about the deeply unfair costs of social care which are currently heaped mainly upon the elderly.

“Unfortunately this announcement only applies to England.

“The Health Committee needs to urgently address this situation in Northern Ireland and introduce a protective cap locally.

“It is wrong that people who have worked and saved all their lives should have their homes sequestrated by the State when they suffer ill health and need residential or nursing care. People should be allowed to pass on some inheritance to the next generation.

Those who suffer ill health should not be penalised for having worked hard to improve the lives of their families.”