Hampshire inquiry finds ‘personalisation should not save money’

The public might support raising council tax above the governemnt’s 5% capping limit to help meet the costs of adult social care, an inquiry has found.

Hampshire Council’s commission of inquiry into the future of adult care has mooted the measure ahead of the government’s green paper on the issue next year.

The commission, made up of leading academics, council, health and charity chiefs, and politicians, found that the current system was “grossly unfair”.

It concluded that the government’s reforms to personalise services from 2008-11 “will not and should not” save money.

Ken Thornber (pictured), commission chair and leader of Hampshire Council, said there could be support for raising council tax to meet care costs. He added: “It is about finding a system that is fair for everyone in meeting the costs of care both from local and central government and balancing the responsibility to pay for care against many people’s desire to leave an inheritance.”

Hampshire’s inquiry is among the first of its kind since the government unveiled the Putting People First programme last December to personalise care. It has gathered advice and information on the current system to support councils and will produce a final report next month.

Putting people first in Hampshire

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