Senior figures in the Conservative Party were not told about plans to radically reform the way social care is paid for, it has been claimed.
The party has put forward plans which have already been dubbed the “dementia tax” in its manifesto, published last week.
But FTAdviser’s sister publication, the Financial Times, has reported that the policy was added at the last minute by prime minister Theresa May’s chief of staff.
Some candidates for the Conservative Party have said the policy was playing badly with voters while the FT also reported that John Godfrey, the head of Downing Street’s policy unit, had advised against the plan.
Under the proposal, the threshold for free social care will increase from £23,250 to £100,000 but the value of a property will be included in the calculation for people who need care in their own homes.
However, those in care will be able to keep their homes until after they die, when the home will be sold to recover the costs, with £100,000 passed on to loved ones, guaranteed.
Stephen Lowe, director at retirement income provider Just, said this could lead to a “catastrophic loss of assets”.
“For the majority of middle England this policy will mean crossing their fingers and hoping for the best,” he said.
damian.fantato@ft.com
