Tory promise over elderly benefits

IPSWICH: A senior member of David Cameron’s parliamentary team visited an old people’s home yesterday to reassure them that the Conservatives had no intention of end free bus travel and winter fuel allowances for pensioners.

Caroline Spelman, who is the Shadow Secretary of State for Local Government and Communities, described Labour’s campaigning as scaring people about “lies” over Tory policy.

“It is completely untrue and Labour knows it,” said Mrs Spelman, who visited Monmouth Court Nursing Home to chat to the elderly residents.

“Labour is misleading the voters on Tory policy on benefits for pensioners and is also hawking around Gordon Brown’s promise of free personal care elderly folk if Labour wins the election.

“This is a policy which cannot be implemented because the local authorities who would fund this promise has got been given any extra resources to fund it.

“The cost of looking after elderly people either in care homes like Monmouth Court or in their own homes is getting more and more expensive as people live longer.”

Mrs Spelman said a Tory government would a scheme which took account of the individual needs of people because it was not right that lifelong savings should be used entirely to fund elderly care.

“Free care for old folk who have no resources will not be affected by Tory plans. We will introduce an insurance scheme which would cost those who can afford it �8,000 and this premium will be used to fund the care of people who need it.”

Mrs Spelman said her party’s plans would be a complete care package designed to look after people in their later years.

“There has been quite a dramatic loss of care home beds and we have to provide for people who wish to remain in their own homes for as long as possible.