Labour ditch social care

The Labour government's decision to scrap planned social care reforms, including a cap on individual contributions, has been denounced as a 'tragedy' by Sir Andrew Dilnot, the architect of the original proposals. Chancellor Rachel Reeves attributed the cancellation to a £21.9 billion financial shortfall inherited from the previous Conservative government, stating that without clear funding, reforms cannot proceed. The scrapped reforms would have limited individual lifetime liabilities for care costs and raised the asset threshold for state support. Critics, including Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister Dr. Altaf Hussain, argue that this decision will have severe consequences for social care funding in Wales, denying the region up to £60 million. Dilnot emphasized the negative impact on families needing care, lamenting the lack of attention given to a crucial issue affecting many lives. As the government faces scrutiny, the Institute of Fiscal Studies warns that the cancellation could lead to individuals incurring substantial costs for their care.