Tories target the vulnerable with huge rise in care charges

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 2nd Apr 2008

Elderly asn disabled people will be badly hit by huge increase in care charges

Local residents have hit out at Conservative-run Hertfordshire County Council, after the council announced massive increases in home care charges of up to 40% this month, hitting many of the most vulnerable members of the community.

The rise in charges mean that the hourly rate for home care will increase from £11.80 an hour to £16.48 (up 40%) and the rate for day centres will increase from £29.60 to £37.46, (up 37%).

Cllr Sara Bedford said, "These increases are far higher than those for gas and electricity, or the price of groceries. It is unbelievable that the county council think that this is appropriate for our elderly residents, who will have no choice but to try to meet the increased cost".

"We should be doing everything that we can to ensure that our senior citizens can continue to live in their own homes for as long as possible, if that is what they want to do."

The Liberal Democrats' alternative budget for the county council proposed lower increases to meet the increases in costs, but were voted down by the Conservatives.