Warning of ‘widening postcode lottery’ on care costs

Which? has been using Freedom of Information requests over the last five years to ask councils across England and Wales what level of home care they provide.

More than four-fifths (80 per cent) of councils which responded in the latest survey now restrict care to those whose needs are “critical” or “substantial”, up from just over 70 per cent when similar research was carried out in 2009.

Someone’s needs are deemed to be critical if there is a potential threat to life, they have significant health problems or are unable to carry out vital everyday tasks like washing or dressing.

If their needs are deemed to 
be substantial, this means that they are unable to perform most everyday routines or have little support.

Around one third of 100 councils which responded about their care charges in both 2009 and 2013 have increased these above the rate of inflation and some local authorities have either scrapped weekly caps that limit how much people have to pay, or raised the level of the cap so they have to pay more, Which? said.

Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: “Our research starkly exposes the postcode lottery of home care provision.

“We want to see greater transparency from local authorities over the provision of care and greater consistency in the way they charge.”