Outrageous increase in home care charges proposed by Labour

3.37.38pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 15th Feb 2006

Hundreds of the oldest and most vulnerable people in Sheffield could face rocketing costs for care, under new proposals being published today by council chiefs as part of their budget. Sheffield Council is proposing to put up the hourly rate for care by 165%.

If approved, it will mean more than 2,400 people will pay more for the cost of looking after their loved ones.The hourly rate for Sheffield Council home care will leap from £3.20 to £8.50.

Commenting on the Sheffield City Council Cabinet Report proposing a 165% increase in the hourly charge for HomeCare services Cllr Ian Auckland, Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet Member for Social Regeneration & Adult Services said:-

"This is an outrageous level of increase, entirely due to the Labour Government taking money away from Sheffield"

"It is not the first time Sheffield's Labour Council has imposed eye watering increases on users of Social Services. So much for a Labour Council working with a Labour Government"