Outrageous betrayal of the most weak and most frail

Commenting on the news that the Conservatives have u-turned on the introduction of a cap on care costs, former Care Minister, Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb, who took the legislation through Parliament said:

"This an extraordinary and devastating u-turn from the Tories. It's an outrageous betrayal of people at their most weak and most frail with conditions like dementia.

"Crippling care costs need addressing urgently. In coalition we designed a solution that would help and was affordable. Local authorities have spent millions already preparing for the introduction of the cap, yet we now hear the Tories are turning their back on it. This delay is a total waste of public money.

"The distress and heartbreak that people feel when a loved one is in care, is being exacerbated by the fear of how to pay for it. We must not allow this to continue.

"Be in no doubt, this is not a delay. The Tories are abandoning the cap. George Osborne never supported this, and Labour were only half hearted in support. The cap was only secured because Liberal Democrats negotiated it in coalition.

"There's no possibility that the finances of social care will be any easier in 2020. They have broken a clear promise in their manifesto within weeks of grabbing power on their own and decided to prioritise tax cuts for the wealthy."