Strong Support For More Income Tax To Fund Better Care
http://moneycarer.org.uk/articles/articles/27/1/Strong-Support-For-More-Income-Tax-To-Fund-Better-Care/Page1.html
Money Carer
Recent news stories of interest from Money Carer. By Money Carer
Published on 12/09/2007
Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care reports on the results of a recent survey asking people about their views on paying more income tax to fund improved and more equitable care services for older people.
Strong Support For More Income Tax To Fund Better Care
Three-quarters of the public are prepared to pay 1p extra on income tax in order to fund better and fairer care for older people, according to a YouGov survey published last week. An additional 1p in the pound on income tax would raise £2 billion, which would pay for 80 per cent of all care home fees and for domiciliary care, according to research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
When asked ‘would you be prepared to pay 1p extra on your income tax to fund better and fairer care for older people?’, 75 per cent of those surveyed said that they would. The 55+ age group showed the greatest support at 82 per cent, and the 45–54 age group – often known as the ‘sandwich generation’ who care for both children and ageing relatives – were the next highest at 77 per cent.
Two-thirds of people think that the cost of care for older people should be government funded, with a quarter saying it should be means tested. Those in the 18-24 and 25-34 old age groups are more in favour of means testing.
The survey, commissioned by Counsel and Care and Lawpack Publishing Ltd, reveals that 42 per cent think that care and support services for older people are worse compared with five years ago, with only 13 per cent thinking they are improving. Among the 55+ age group, 54 per cent say that services are worsening. This confirms Counsel and Care’s recent survey of local authorities which highlighted the widening care gap as councils restrict the number of older people eligible for care services.
The survey also found that a quarter of 45-54 year olds do not know where to find advice and information on care for older people – even though this age group is most likely to be helping ageing parents with care.
Stephen concludes:
These findings support our view that urgent action needs to be taken on the funding of long-term care, and that the public is willing to participate. Clearly the public want better care for our ageing population. It is critical that we win support across all ages and generations if we are to end the underfunding of care and support for older people.
If we can develop a co-payment option that is a true partnership between the state, the family and the individual, we can move towards a fairer system of paying for care in the future. That is the challenge for the government in its spending review this autumn and beyond.
When asked ‘would you be prepared to pay 1p extra on your income tax to fund better and fairer care for older people?’, 75 per cent of those surveyed said that they would. The 55+ age group showed the greatest support at 82 per cent, and the 45–54 age group – often known as the ‘sandwich generation’ who care for both children and ageing relatives – were the next highest at 77 per cent.
Two-thirds of people think that the cost of care for older people should be government funded, with a quarter saying it should be means tested. Those in the 18-24 and 25-34 old age groups are more in favour of means testing.
The survey, commissioned by Counsel and Care and Lawpack Publishing Ltd, reveals that 42 per cent think that care and support services for older people are worse compared with five years ago, with only 13 per cent thinking they are improving. Among the 55+ age group, 54 per cent say that services are worsening. This confirms Counsel and Care’s recent survey of local authorities which highlighted the widening care gap as councils restrict the number of older people eligible for care services.
The survey also found that a quarter of 45-54 year olds do not know where to find advice and information on care for older people – even though this age group is most likely to be helping ageing parents with care.
Stephen concludes:
These findings support our view that urgent action needs to be taken on the funding of long-term care, and that the public is willing to participate. Clearly the public want better care for our ageing population. It is critical that we win support across all ages and generations if we are to end the underfunding of care and support for older people.
If we can develop a co-payment option that is a true partnership between the state, the family and the individual, we can move towards a fairer system of paying for care in the future. That is the challenge for the government in its spending review this autumn and beyond.