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45,000 elderly and disabled people in North-East and N Yorkshire have ‘lost’ council-funded care
MORE than 45,000 elderly and disabled people across the region have “lost” council-funded care in just three years, campaigners are warning.
9:40pm Wednesday 12th February 2014 in News By Robert Merrick, Parliamentary Correspondent
Fall in access to social care The huge decline – of almost one fifth across the North-East and Yorkshire – is the result of “chronic underfunding” of town halls, the Care and Support Alliance said.
Cash-starved authorities are being forced to “ration” care – even to people who need help to “to get up, get washed, and get dressed and get out of the house”
Now the Alliance is warning the Government’s flagship plans to reform the battered care system will fail unless councils are given “long term, sustainable funding”.
Richard Hawkes, its chairman, said: “Like most other parts of the country, the North-East and Yorkshire are experiencing a squeeze on social care.
“Chronic underfunding has left large numbers of older and disabled people, who need support to do the basics, like getting up or out of the house, cut out of the care system.”
Special bus for the lonely and homeless in Norwich city
Help and support for the lonely
Homeless Mick Shelton, centre enjoying the hospitality on offer aboard the maroon bus owned by Neil Cranston, left and Adam Jackson that will be open for others this weekend in Norwich. Pictured parked next to St Stephens Church.Photo: Steve Adams
David Bale
david.bale2@archant.co.uk
Saturday, December 28, 2013
8:25 AM
Homeless and lonely people in Norwich this festive season are being invited on board a special London double-decker bus where they can meet others and enjoy a cuppa.
The maroon bus was bought a year ago by Neil Cranston, a businessman and philanthropist who lives near Wymondham.
MPs urge scrapping of ‘bedroom tax’
A House of Commons select committee has called on David Cameron’s Government to scrap the “bedroom tax” changes to housing benefit.
16th December 2013
The Scottish Affairs Committee said that while ministers considered whether to repeal the measure, the Government should suspend the penalty for claimants who cannot reasonably be offered alternative accommodation.
The MPs said the measure, which cuts housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have a spare room, was ” a budget cut suffered by those in greatest need”.
The interim report was opposed by Tory and Liberal Democrat MPs on the Labour-led committee, but they failed to prevent it being produced.
The Government reduced entitlement to housing benefit for working-age tenants in April 2013. Those with an extra bedroom have a reduction of 14% to their eligible rent, and those with two or more extra bedrooms lose 25%.
The Government estimated that 80,000 claimants in Scotland would be affected by the bedroom tax, with an average weekly loss of £12.
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