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Thursday 18 August 2011
Sheffield Council plans increased fees for elderly care
As reported on the BBC website, Sheffield City Council is planning to increase contributions from people receiving elderly care.
Sheffield Council has recommended that maximum weekly contributions to home help care in the city rise from £114.69 to £350 a week, a 205% increase. This decision vould affect hundreds of pensioners.
Labour Councillor Mary Lea said: "It’s regrettable and I’m really sorry that this is happening to some people."
The non-residential care, which more than 5,000 people in the city use, includes help to enable people to stay in their homes and remain independent and assistance with domestic and everyday duties.
Labour, which took control of Sheffield Council in May, said the budget savings were originally put forward by the Liberal Democrat administration in March when saving measures were introduced.
Ms Lea said: "This year we’ve had to cut £15m from the social services budget.
"If we reversed the decision we would have had to make changes and reductions to front-line services."
The report states that the majority of people who use the social care service are aged over 60.
Jackie Milner, from the Sheffield Pensioners Action Group, said the proposal was "appalling".
Ms Milner suggested the council look at "alternative" plans which could include "small amounts of money being taken from everybody instead of continually hitting the old and the vulnerable".
Click here to read the paper that is due to be discussed at the Sheffield City Council cabinet meeting on 24th August or here to see the full agenda..
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