Rotherham's pensioners lash out at care cost plans

Pensioners will savings of less than £123,000 will receive state help, under new plans.

But the cap on the amount people will need to pay is more than double that suggested by economist Andrew Dilnot.

Keith Billington, Rotherham Pensioners’ Action Group chairman, said: “With the cap set at £75,000 and not coming in until 2017, only a minority of pensioners, as few as 13 per cent, will benefit

“The Dilnot report recommended £35,000, which would have helped a lot more pensioners, but with this report the majority will be left to struggle on a third rate service.

“I’m very disappointed at the announcement by Jeremy Hunt regarding the funding package for social care.”

National Pensioners’ Convention general secretary Dot Gibson said: “It’s time we merged health and social care and had a truly integrated system which is funded through general taxation like the NHS.

“Frankly the plan as it stands is about as credible as a Findus lasagne.”