Changes allowing people to keep more of their savings when they move into residential care will be ‘phased in’ over several years.
Whilst the additional money is welcome, Welsh Conservatives say that the increase in the savings threshold won’t come soon enough for many elderly people moving into residential care.
During the 2016 Assembly elections, Welsh Conservatives pledged to increase the threshold to £100,000 – twice as high as Labour’s eventual limit once changes have been phased in.
Shadow Secretary for Social Services, Suzy Davies AM, said:
“This announcement is welcome, recognising as it does a long-standing Conservative principle that people should be able to keep more of the money they earn.
“It isn’t as generous as our own manifesto commitment to allow people to keep £100,000 and some who now realise Labour’s £50,000 limit will be “phased in” may be disappointed.
“Nevertheless it is a step in the right direction.
“I’m delighted, though, that Welsh Government agrees with disregarding the War Disablement Pension in assessing assets, meaning veterans do not need to use any part of it to pay for care they need.”
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