85p rise in weekly allowance for care home residents scorned by Age Concern

Plans to raise care home residents’ weekly expense allowance by 85 pence a week have been dubbed “a slap in the face” by Age Concern.

The government proposals published for consultation yesterday, would increase the allowance, paid to residents funded by social services, from £19.60 to £20.45 from April, in line with rises in earnings.

However, Age Concern director general Gordon Lishman said: “This is not enough to pay for the level of dignity or the standard of living older people in care homes deserve.”

Publicly-funded residents must pay for all of their personal expenses from their allowance, as pensions and other benefits are used to pay their home fees.

Age Concern has estimated that a fairer figure would be £40 a week.

The government plans, which will be consulted on until 28 February, would also increase the savings limits above which people must pay full fees from £21,000 to £21,500.

The lower capital limit, below which people receive the full cost of care, would rise from £12,750 to £13,000.