A BBC North West report has revealed more than 2,000 people charged with incurring debt after falling behind on care payments.
Disabled people in particular have seen the price of services soar, raising concerns about their ability to keep up with charges. However, people in general were found to be struggling following a Freedom of Information request submitted by the public service news agency.
Of 58 councils that responded, 45 confirmed they had begun legal action against people who had not been able to make payments for care provision. In some cases, for example Oldham Council, the rate at which this was happening had leapt by around 50% over the last three years.
The authority is one of many currently faced with bleak budget outlooks. Meanwhile, Cheshire West and Chester Council were found to have been involved in the most court proceedings – with 110 cases each. Blackpool Council ranked the second highest, launching 83 legal claims against individuals. All authorities stressed this was an absolute last resort option, and they worked hard to avoid lawsuits if at all possible.
‘The adult social care system remains in desperate need of sustainable funding and reform,’ said a spokesperson for the Local Government Association. ‘‘Councils, as commissioners of social care, work closely with providers to ensure the best possible provision of services for local people, but until the sector is adequately funded, the consequences of a lack of resources and a system that is under strain will remain.’
Image: Age Cymru / Unsplash
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