Suffolk County Council doubles care home fees

The Council has proposed the move to stop the capping of fees for ‘self-funding’ residents in Council-run homes and to bring their fees up to the same level that they would pay in an independent home. They hope the changes will save them over £470,000 in 2009, part of a wider plan to cut Suffolk’s adult care budget by £7m. Pensioners in the area are determined to fight the move, which would require new residents entering Suffolk’s care homes to pay 89% more per week than those already in residence – a rise they describe as ‘scandalous’. For the full story, click here.