Most people back tax rise to pay for adult social care, GMB study suggests
Most people support a tax increase to tackle the UK’s adult social care “crisis”, new research suggests.
Three out of four of 1,000 members of the public surveyed for the GMB union said they would back higher taxes for social care.
The study also suggested that two thirds of people believe social care is in a poor state.
Just 7% of those polled said they would oppose tax rises, with 59% supporting a reverse to tax cuts – such as corporation tax – to pay for it.
GMB national officer Kelly Andrews said: “Our social care system isn’t just in crisis – it’s crumbling around our ears.
“A third of carers leave the profession every year while funding is woefully behind what is needed.
“Throughout our lives, we will all come into contact with care, be it our mums and dads needing help, working as a carer or knowing someone who does. Ultimately we will all need it ourselves.
“The dedicated carers we all rely on need the pay and training they deserve.”
Sally Copley, director of campaigns and policy at the Alzheimer’s Society, commented: “It is abundantly clear that the public are increasingly concerned about the dementia care crisis and want to see action to fix dementia care.
“The survey backs up the results of our own polling, which found that more than half those asked are in support of increased income tax to pay for care.
“The public are ready to make tough decisions about where the money should come from to ensure there is no longer a financial lottery when it comes to accessing social care.
“Every day we wait for Government action, hundreds of thousands of people with dementia and their families face the realities of a broken system.
“The Prime Minister should take heed of the public’s willingness to find a solution and come forward with a sustainable plan to fix this crisis.”
Copyright (c) PA Media Ltd. 2019, All Rights Reserved. Picture (c) Pixabay.
