Queen’s speech reflects Gordon Brown’s pledge to pensioners

The Queen’s speech at the state opening of Parliament on 18 November – the last before the next general election – has echoed Gordon Brown’s recent pledge to provide free personal home care to the UK’s neediest elderly and disabled people. Around 280,000 people can expect to benefit from the move – although 160,000 of these already receive free home care. However, a further 130,000 could receive cash from a second initiative, the ‘re-enablement allowance’, which would provide funding to help people live independently in their homes for longer, through adaptations such as stair lifts. The changes, which will form part of the new National Care Service, will be rolled out from October 2010 if Labour remains in power. However, charities including Counsel + Care and Age Concern and Help the Aged have questioned the Government’s ability to fund these new services, which would cost an estimated £670m per year. They have also criticised the proposed system’s failure to benefit the UK’s 400,000 care home residents as well as voicing concerns that many younger disabled adults could potentially miss out on funding. Jane Ashcroft of the English Community Care Association commented: ‘It is unhelpful to just have one piece of the jigsaw. Ultimately, the proposals could lead to an even greater drain on public resources without having a tangible impact on the quality of life of our older people.’