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 19 July 2008 08:25 BST

Social care funding shortfall 'may hit £6bn'

Sunday, 11 May 2008 11:17
Care services minister Ivan Lewis will start a consultation on Monday
Health experts have warned that England's social care system may be heading towards a funding gap of £6 billion.

The BBC news service claims that unless reforms are implemented, money for the care of the elderly and disabled could be in severe danger of worsening within the next two decades.

Experts suggest that not only is there widespread discontent with the current means-tested state support system, but growing demand that is already heavily rationed will continue to get worse, the BBC reported.

Although an expected two million extra people will require care by 2050, the rate of growth for such state funding is at a much slower rate and will therefore result in a gap unless circumstances are changed.

Ahead of a six-month public consultation on the issue, Bury South MP and care service minister Ivan Lewis - who lists enhancing dignity and respect for older people as one of his ministerial priorities - told the BBC that tackling the problem was one of the country's "greatest challenges".

"What we need is to move towards a system which is fairer," Mr Lewis told the news service.

"Where people feel it's fair in terms of what is expected of them and also in terms of what the government can pay and what is affordable."
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