Care costs cap delayed until 2020

The government says its flagship policy to cap care costs in England will be delayed until 2020.

Costs were to be limited to £72,000 for the over-65s and younger adults with disabilities from April 2016.

The Department of Health said it was still “firmly committed” to the cap, but questions are now being raised whether the policy needs rethinking.

The move came after councils wrote to ministers asking for a delay because of the “enormous pressures” they faced.

For years councils have been warning the care system – which covers residential care and help at home with tasks such as washing and dressing – has been underfunded. A shortfall of £4.3bn has been predicted by the end of the decade – nearly a third.

Concerns had also been expressed that the drive for a national living wage would push up costs.

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