Counsel and Care: Emergency budget forerunner of worrying things to come

Counsel and Care welcomes the government's pledge to preserve benefits such as Disability Living Allowance for those most in need and to re-link the Basic State Pension with earnings.

However, Counsel and Care remains concerned that a plan to introduce a medical assessment for Disability Living Allowance from 2013 to focus on those most in need will actually result in many more eligible people being prevented from accessing the benefit.

With local councils consulting on possible cuts to vital areas of care and support such as care homes and day centres, Counsel and Care argues that smarter spending is needed urgently to make the best use of existing resources and ensure that the needs of older people are top priority.

Caroline Bernard, Deputy Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, said: "As expected, this Emergency Budget sets the scene for the inevitable cuts that will follow in the public sector, which will affect older people using those services.

"We will follow the 2010 Comprehensive Review with close interest, and look forward to participating in the forthcoming engagement programme to keep the reform of social care funding at the top of the coalition government's agenda."

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