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GMB members put a spotlight on the government yesterday over the shameful way it treated the elderly and vulnerable, highlighting the deep cuts to councils and services.
Delegates at the union’s conference heard that many councils across England didn’t pay the minimum required for residential care funding following a survey by the GMB which asked 180 councils how much they spent on residential care for the vulnerable and elderly.
The Rowntree Foundation charity said the minimum needed to provide proper care is £600 per week, although most councils pay less.
Croydon Council paid the highest for a care home place at £597.87 per week, while Tory-led Surrey County Council pays the lowest at just £326.45.
Islington delegate Garry Harris laid the blame at the government’s feet.
He said: “Government ministers like Eric Pickles have made significantly deeper cuts to local councils and care services.
“Lets be clear here this Tory-led government doesn’t care. It doesn’t have to. They can afford private care.”