Hike In Home Care Charges Blasted

A hime in home care charges has been blasted by Skegness County Councillor Mark Anderson. The Councillor is angry Lincolnshire County Council has agreed to increase the cost of home care from £5.15 an hour to £10. He said: “I’m very concerned the Conservative administration of LCC has agreed a 94 per cent hike in home care charges for the most vulnerable people in Skegness and the surrounding areas. The maximum amount anyone would have to pay would rise from £41 per week to £120, which is a 192 per cent hike.”

He said the cost of transport to day care centres was free but will now cost £1.80 return. He said: “What I fear is these massive increases the Conservatives have imposed will have an effect that these vulnerable people will choose no longer to have home care support due to affordability, thus exposing themselves to the dangers of trying to live on their own.”

The executive of LCC agreed to increase the charges for home care, community supported living and social care transport following consultation.

LCC leader Coun Martin Hill said: “No homecare service user is being asked to pay the full cost of the services they receive. “We believe it’s important people who can afford to pay more should pay more. This will also enable the council to provide high level quality social care to those who need it.”

The financial assessments and benefits team will work with service users and the elderly to ensure they use any benefits they are entitled to, which will help meet the care costs.