Councils hike care and support services fees

摘要

Two-thirds of councils in England have introduced or increased charges for care and support services in the past three years, new research has found. President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, Glen Garrod, told The MJ: 'This finding represents another example of what austerity and the cuts to social care means for people in need of care and support. 'These are symptoms of a wider malaise that has its roots in a Government unable or unwilling to address the desperate need for a long-term funding solution that values quality and recognises the importance of social care in this country.' Genevieve Edwards, director of external affairs at the MS Society, which carried out the research, said: 'Faced with catastrophic care costs some people are being forced to choose between getting care and other everyday essentials - like food and heating.'