VULNERABLE adults can have their say on a plan to increase care charges.
Kirklees Council’s Cabinet last night launched a consultation on the proposal, which could see people paying up to £180 extra each week for their support.
The changes will affect around 40% of the 2,415 adults in Kirklees who receive social care. The support includes home carers, who help vulnerable people bathe and eat as well as day care provision, which gives relatives a break from looking after their loved ones.
The changes will not affect poorer people who currently receive their care for free.
But richer care-users would have to pay more – from a few pounds a week to £180 extra in one case.
Cabinet member for wellbeing Clr Molly Walton recommended launching a consultation on the plan at last night’s meeting. “It’s become incredibly inequitable that we have people on ordinary incomes paying as much as those who have a lot of money saved.
“That’s not fair,” said the Crosland Moor and Netherton Labour councillor.
Consultation begins today and runs until January 27.
Clr Walton said: “This is going out to consultation, it’s important that we note that no decision has been made.
“It seems stupid to think people will say ‘yes, we want to pay more’ but we are required to do this”.
