In the Queen’s speech today (May 8) the Government announced its intention to cap the costs of care for older people at £72,000.

The figure is just over double the one recommended by the £35,000 Dilnot Commission in 2011 but nevertheless Norman Lamb, UK Care Minisiter, told the Daily Telegraph, “This is the most important piece of care legislation for decades.”

The Care Bill will also include measures for tougher checks on hospitals, following the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust care scandal earlier this year. There will also be an Ofsted-style system of checks for care homes and hospitals.

The care cap, which will apply in England, is due to be introduced in 2016 (not 2017) and is lower than the £75,000 earlier mooted.

Care laws updated

The measures are part of a package that ministers say will join up health and social care to boost protections for patients and simplify the system.

The Bill will also bring together numerous existing care laws to enable elderly and disabled adults needing care to transfer their support packages if they move to another part of the country. There will also be a legal entitlement to personal care budgets, which can be paid directly, will be introduced.

Following the financial collapse of the Southern Cross care home group, protections for the vulnerable if a provider goes out of business will also be outlined.

• Read the full story in the Telegraph here