Labour unveils plan for £2.8bn social care fund to help dementia sufferers
2 min read
A Labour government would spend an extra £2.8bn on adult social care in a bid to improve the lives of people suffering with dementia, the party have announced.
Labour said it would use the cash boost to reverse Conservative cuts which have seen the total number of people receiving local authority-funded care plummet by 104,000 since 2015.
Those living with dementia would get extra help with daily tasks such as bathing, preparing meals and getting ready for bed through the scheme - which the party hopes would help keep them in their own homes for longer.
Charity Age UK has estimated that 1,000 older people are needlessly admitted to hospital each day as a result of poor care provision.
The party believes the fund could help over 160,000 vulnerable people, including 50,000 with dementia, who currently receive no social care support.
Labour's Shadow Minister for Mental Health Barbara Keeley, said: "This Tory Government has shamefully abandoned older people and young adults with care needs.
"There is still no sign of their Social Care Green Paper which was promised over two years ago, and vulnerable older people have needlessly suffered as a result of the Government's failure.
"People with dementia are unfairly punished when it comes to paying for their care needs so Labour will correct this injustice in government.
A further £700m will be spent by the party to train up the social care workforce as well as provide support for people with autism living in inappropriate inpatient units to return to their communities.
The party said the cash would come as part of a wider £8bn social care spending commitment across the lifetime of the next Parliament which would be raised by increasing tax on the wealthiest 5% of earners.
Ms Keeley added: "We want care staff to be properly paid and trained, so that they can provide the kind of compassionate care that they want to give.
"We must offer dignity and security to all vulnerable people."
The Conservative party has been contacted for comment.
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