Stroke victim in prison vow as care costs soar

Pensioner Robert Leggat, 72, of Vernon Place, Todmorden, has help with cleaning and shopping from a carer, but after February’s budget the cost of care provided by Calderdale Council soared from £24 per week to £95.

Mr Leggat, whose total assets are slightly above the minimum required for charges to apply, (£23,250), said he was staggered to receive the news that his payments were to be increased by almost 400 per cent.

He said: “I will go to prison rather than pay this. I do not think it is fair and I won’t pay it. I worked hard to save my money and I was planning to go touring with some of it.”

Tory councillor Ian Cooper said: “We warned the Liberal Democrat and Labour councillors that the scale of their proposed hike in charges would hit vulnerable pensioners hard. Just how hard we are now beginning to see.”

Coun Cooper says he warned the Liberal Democrat and Labour Cabinet of the serious consequence of the increases proposed.

And Calder Valley Tory MP Craig Whittaker said: “I am disappointed to see those, like Mr Leggat, who are elderly and in need of our support, being penalised in such a way.

“Conservatives recommended a different approach, protecting those who need support whilst looking to save money elsewhere. Unfortunately, once again, Labour, with Liberal Democrat support, have put their union paymasters first, at the expense of local residents.”

Cabinet member Tim Swift, (Lab, Town), said: “While it is not possible to comment in detail on any individual case, the changes to the council’s fair charging policy seek to make sure that people have adequate income and savings to cover any charges that may be made.

“If someone has available savings of more than £23,250, then they do have to meet the full cost of their care from these savings.

“This is in line with the arrangements in the vast majority of local authorities in the country, and is consistent with the Government guidelines on charges for care services.

“Where any individual is concerned about the care costs, I would urge them to contact the adult services directorate to make sure they have been correctly assessed, and also to ensure they are receiving any benefits and other assistance they are entitled to.

“No one likes taking decisions to increase charges, but the need to take tough decisions like this is inevitable if we are to continue to provide a wide range of care services in the face of the Government’s cuts in funding for local support.”

The arrangements for calculating care charges are complex, but Coun Swift said that the cost of a care package in Calderdale compares well with almost any other council in the country, and the costs in Calderdale are lower.

And Calderdale Council’s head of wellbeing and social care, Phil Shire, said: “While we cannot comment on arrangements with individual service users, we do sympathise with Mr Leggat and worked with him to try to provide the services he needs.

“Like all councils, Calderdale has faced unprecedented cuts in funding from central government and has done its best to minimise the impact on people who use its services.”

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