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Controversial new social care bill ‘deepens north-south divide’ in the UK

As property costs in Leeds lie below the national average, the new reforms mean that pensioners in the region will lose out disproportionately.

Georgina Pellant - 23rd November 2021

A controversial new Health and Social Care Bill was passed in the Commons on Monday night, bringing in some big changes to adult social care and the running of the NHS in the UK.

The bill passed with a majority of just 26, due to a large rebellion in the Tory party.

A large number of so-called 'red wall' MPs in the north of England voted against the bill, which has been widely criticised for disproportionately benefitting wealthier pensioners and homeowners in the south

It includes a new controversial cap on lifetime care costs that only take into account an individual's personal contribution, and disqualifies any benefits payments from local authorities.

Critics of the bill include cap architect economist Sir Andrew Dilnot, who first came up with the idea. Earlier this month, the economist told Sky News that the cap would "hit the poorest hardest" and create a north-south divide in England. 

The economist criticised the dismissal of benefits in relation to the cap and said that 'lower value houses' in the north would create a divide. 

As property costs in Leeds lie below the national average, the new reforms mean that pensioners in the region will lose out disproportionately.

Kevin Hollinrake, the Conservative MP for North Yorkshire constituency Thirsk and Malton, told MPs:  “There is no doubt that the way the cap works for those with more modest assets is less generous. How can that be fair?”

Pensioners with assets of £186,000 upwards will be able to ensure their family inherit the majority of their property, whilst those with £106,000 or less will lose out significantly - both compared to the current system and the one that was initially proposed in September. 

Previously, the Prime Minister had promised that no one would have to sell their home to pay for care. 

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Labour Health spokesperson Justin Madders, meanwhile, called the bill a 'betrayal', telling the Commons that 'thousands of people in each constituency, mainly in the Midlands and the north of England, [...] will be forced to sell their homes whilst those in the more affluent areas of the country will get to keep theirs." 

“That’s not fairness. That’s not fixing social care. That is a betrayal.”

The Prime Minister has previously denied that the bill disadvantages those in the north, claiming that it is a "massive improvement for everybody in the whole country" as it puts an end to people paying unlimited quantities for care. 

Feature image - Parliament TV