Social Care

Its a huge social injustice that our elderly homeowners are forced to sell their homes to cover the cost of their care in old age - particularly those suffering with dementia. Having a family member with dementia places enough strain on a family - without the added pressure of being forced to sell the family home to cover the costs of providing qualified, dedicated care

The fact that non-homeowners can access the same care without paying only adds to the feeling of injustice.

PLEDGE: I will always vote to remove this imbalance and seek to ensure that homeowners properties are ring-fenced - and not raided to pay for care in old age.

Devolution of budget

I would fully support any attempt to devolve the responsibility for social care from local authority control - and to deliver a national service that delivers a guaranteed level of service and care to indiviuals regardless of the local authority.