Lib Dems shame County Hall Tories into care charges u-turn

Liberal Democrats in Hinckley & Bosworth have shamed the Conservatives into dropping plans for a huge hike in home care charges for Leicestershire's pensioners.

Tory bosses had planned an inflation-busting 5% rise in care charges this year but they have quietly dropped these plans after Lib Dems launched a campaign condemning them.

Cllr Stuart Bray (Lib Dem, Hinckley Castle) and Cllr Don Wright (Lib Dem, Hinckley Trinity) proposed a motion at January's Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council meeting calling on the administration at County Hall to think again.

Cllr Stuart Bray cautiously welcomed the news. "Of course I'm delighted for people who will not have to pay these increased charges at a time when everyone is feeling the pinch, but the total increase over the life of this Conservative administration is still scandalous."

"The hourly rise during the life of the present Council will be an extra £2.60 per hour - 43% in four years! The maximum weekly charge has more than trebled."

Cllr Bray also issued a word of warning: "It's also interesting that the major Home Care rises imposed by the Tories took take place in the budget immediately following the last County Council elections. What could we expect after this year's election if the Tories were to win again?"