Tory tax on Telecare
Liberal Democrats have reacted with anger and disbelief at the Conservative Mayor’s decision to charge for the vital Telecare service from 1st October 2024 for users who do not have Care Act eligible needs.
Despite the Consultation responses and the Council’s own report, on 5 July the Conservatives decided to press ahead with the plans.
This decision has been “called in” by the Liberal Democrat Group to the Council’s Adult Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee in order to fight the corner of those who use this vital service.
This means a special hearing on this proposal will take place before it is implemented.
The call-in notice was submitted immediately following a Full Council meeting in which the Conservatives gave disappointing answers to Councillors raising concerns.
Sign our petition to stop Telecare charges here:
Stop TeleCare Charges - Bedford Liberal Democrats (bedfordlibdems.org.uk)
Residents' concerns
Residents have contacted Liberal Democrat Councillors, for example:
“I have been worried sick since receiving the letter and the proposed charges…. I understand that savings have to be made somewhere within the Council, but I think it is completely unacceptable that the most vulnerable in society are having to literally pay the price.”
Cllr Hilde Hendrickx said: “Despite the council’s own evidence showing the profound impact this charge would have on users, including distressed and concerned residents in the ward I represent, and despite a consultation report overwhelmingly opposed to this charge on the most vulnerable, the Conservatives plan to press ahead.
“It is wrong to balance the books on the backs of the most vulnerable. But this is also a false economy – supporting people to remain independent, in their own homes, is not only morally right, but helps people stay out of the care system.”
Cllr Henry Vann said: “This is a disgraceful attack on the vulnerable. We kept this vital lifeline free. The Council’s own assessment says women, and the elderly will be most harmed by this proposal. We are urging them to think again and stop attacking those most in need of help.”
More information:
Telecare is a service that helps support people to live independently, is currently provided at no charge to 3,200 of the Borough’s residents who are over the age of 65, or people who are under 65 and have disabilities. The proposal would introduce charges to Telecare service users who do not have Care Act eligible needs.
Of the 750 respondents to the Council’s consultation on the issue, 60% strongly disagreed or disagreed with the introduction of a charge of £4.50 per week.
The Council’s own report suggests that up to 40% of current services users may decline the service if charging is introduced [point 6.4], and their own equality impact assessment reports that the decision to charge may disproportionately affect women; 61% of current users are female, and their income tends to be on average lower [page 50 of this report].