End this injustice forcing millions to sell their homes to fund care bills

CAMPAIGNERS want a new social care tax” to end an injustice that forces millions to sell off family assets including their homes in old age.

They say Social Insurance contributions paid by workers and retir ees would be a fair way to fix a cash crisis that has plunged so many into poverty.

Subscriptions would guarantee a basic level of state-provided care with savings, Isas or pension cash to top up for gold standard packages.

Former pensions minister Baroness Altmann said: Successive governments have failed to rise to this challenge. Fine words, official reviews and even legislation have delivered no meaningful reform.

“Politicians constantly kicked the can down the road. It is easy to criticise and there are no easy answers. But this could be one of the options, a contribution from all taxpayers, to fund a basic starting level of care.”

The crisis is acute but unknown to millions until it is too late. The elderly pay thousands of pounds a year towards other people’s care, as well as their own.

Experts argue this should be funded nationally, not just those unlucky enough to have to rely on care homes.

The welfare state is based on National Insurance contributions, yet no money is set aside for social care.

It means treatment for diseases like cancer is free on the NHS but social care costs, which includes help for conditions like Alzheimer’s, are not.

In England, anyone with assets over 23,250 has to pay for care, whether in a home or their own house.

The scandal sees frail dementia sufferers and their families receive no help, pay eye-watering sums out of life savings and sell their homes, denying families an inheritance.

To add insult to injury, they are also forced to pay towards the care bills of others with no savings. Because other taxpayers are not paying the full cost,

care providers charge those who still have some life savings left hundreds of pounds a week to fill the black hole.