Labour Scraps Social Care Cap Amid Criticism

Labour has scrapped the long-promised £86,000 cap on lifetime social care costs, a move that has been widely criticized. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the decision as part of efforts to address a £22 billion financial deficit, saving the Treasury around £1 billion but leaving many families facing potentially crippling care costs. Sir Andrew Dilnot, the architect of the cap, described the decision as a 'tragedy' and a failure to support another generation of families. Critics argue that the removal of the cap will force more elderly people to sell their homes to afford care, placing a heavy financial burden on individuals. The decision contradicts earlier assurances by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who had pledged to implement the cap if Labour won the election. The Labour government has justified the move by citing the lack of preparatory work and the financial impracticality of the cap under current economic conditions.