Talking Point: What should be done to reform social care?

Small business minister Paul Scully made headlines today for refusing to deny the possibility of people having to sell their homes to cover the cost of social care.

Pressed five times on Sky News, he said: “There will be fewer people selling their houses and hopefully none.”

The news came amid continued backlash over social care reforms that critics say place undue pressure on the poorest members of society.

Despite Boris Johnson promising in the Conservatives’ 2019 general election manifesto that “nobody needing care should be forced to sell their home to pay for it,” an amendment to legislation being voted on by MPs on Monday would see many having to pay up to a cap of £86,000 on care costs.

Labour criticised the reforms, arguing that people living in areas with lower house prices would therefore be at risk of having to sell their homes to cover care.

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: “It’s not a care plan, it’s a care con… I hope Tory MPs reject it tonight.”

How do you think social care should be reformed? Let us know your thoughts in the comments for the chance to be featured on the Evening Standard website tomorrow.

Thursday’s Talking Point: What are your thoughts on the risk of TfL cuts?

FutureSoundofLondon said: “It will be extremely bad for the economy of London, and consequently it will be extremely bad for the economy of the country as a whole. You cannot expect a global city to operate at its full economic capability if the public transport system is unable to function effectively. It will force even more people onto the roads instead of the tubes and buses, leading to yet more congestion and economic harm.”

Whatsupp, meanwhile, commented: “Great news if it happens. Millions of Londoners will be celebrating come December 11 if the TFL magic money tree dries up and it finally brings an end to them destroying our road network for a small minority of cycle road users who pay nothing to use them. With a bit of a push these non paying commuters might go back and start paying to use the buses and trains again.”

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