The squeeze on eligibility for social care services is occuring in councils of all political complexions, according to figures released today by the Learning Disability Coalition.
From this month, 73% of councils will only be supporting those people deemed to have substantial or critical needs under the fair access to care system, according to the Commission for Social Care Inspection.
However, rather than this being driven by one party, the coalition's shows this breaks down into 79% of Conservative-run councils, 72% of Labour councils and 55% of Liberal Democrat councils.
Mencap chief executive Dame Jo Williams, who chairs the coaltion, said: "The fact that so many councils are only providing support for those with the most severe needs shows the urgent need for more money from central government."
CSCI began an online survey of eligibility criteria this week as it formally launched its government-commissioned review into the issue, which is due to report in September. This was sparked by the commission's third state of social care report, which outlined the poor outcomes faced by many people who do not receive state-funded care.
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