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Social care rules 'inconsistent' | Social care rules 'inconsistent' |
(20 minutes later) | |
The rules governing which elderly and disabled people in England are entitled to social care have been criticised. | The rules governing which elderly and disabled people in England are entitled to social care have been criticised. |
A Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) report says there are inconsistencies in how councils decide who gets help and how much they get. | A Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) report says there are inconsistencies in how councils decide who gets help and how much they get. |
Social care minister Ivan Lewis has ordered a fundamental review of the rules on eligibility. | Social care minister Ivan Lewis has ordered a fundamental review of the rules on eligibility. |
The BBC's Kim Catcheside said thousands of people who would have got support a few years ago are no longer eligible. | The BBC's Kim Catcheside said thousands of people who would have got support a few years ago are no longer eligible. |
The CSCI has been investigating the widening gap in social care, and the overwhelming majority of councils are restricting their services to the most needy, our correspondent added. | The CSCI has been investigating the widening gap in social care, and the overwhelming majority of councils are restricting their services to the most needy, our correspondent added. |
The CSCI's report is due to be released later. | The CSCI's report is due to be released later. |
Local authorities argue cuts have been forced upon them by tight budgets and the increasing demands of an aging population. | Local authorities argue cuts have been forced upon them by tight budgets and the increasing demands of an aging population. |
But, according to Mr Lewis, the CSCI has uncovered enormous variations in the way councils interpret the rules. | But, according to Mr Lewis, the CSCI has uncovered enormous variations in the way councils interpret the rules. |
In a very tight financial settlement, we have to use resources as effectively as possible and if you want more services, we need more resources John Ransford, Local Government Association | |
More require care | |
This means people with similar needs in different parts of the country - and in some cases living in the same local authority - are getting widely different levels of care. | This means people with similar needs in different parts of the country - and in some cases living in the same local authority - are getting widely different levels of care. |
The deputy head of the Local Government Association, John Ransford, told BBC: "A rising number of older people in society, people with learning disabilities, people with physical disabilities are requiring more and more care. | |
"We want them to have that care in their home, in their local communities. That's usually their wish, but it is expensive and we've got to balance resources with needs." | |
He told Radio 4's Today programme: "The Local Government Association has been saying very strongly that in a very tight financial settlement, we have to use those resources as effectively as possible and if you want more services, we need more resources." |