Independent Age responds to Surrey County Council's proposed 15% council tax hike Independent Age 1 min read19 January 2017 Partner content Simon Bottery, Director of Policy at Independent Age, the older people's charity, has responded to news that Surrey County Council have proposed a 15% council tax rise. “This proposed 15% increase in council tax lays bare the scale of additional funding some councils now feel is needed to pay for adult social care. It highlights the extent to which the cost of adequate personal care for frail and elderly people is becoming dependent on council tax payers. Relying ever more heavily on funds raised from council tax to cover what we know will be growing costs for social care just won't prove sustainable. This demonstrates why we need the Prime Minister to urgently begin cross-party talks to put in place a long-term solution on health and care funding so that millions of older people can access the services they need now and in the future.” Related Keir Starmer Will Face “Immense Pressure” To Allow More Time For Assisted Dying Debate If Bill Passes By Alain Tolhurst 21 Nov