ROS ALTMANN

DIRECTOR GENERAL

SAGA

PRESS RELEASE

November 1, 2010.

LOCAL AUTHORITY HOME CARE CUT FEARS: COMMENT FROM ROS ALTMANN, DIRECTOR GENERAL, SAGA.

Councils in England and Wales could be forced to end home help for elderly and disabled people, the Local Government Association has said.

The LGA, which represents 422 authorities, has told MPs that budget cuts may result in services being restricted to only those with critical needs.

Ros Altmann, Director General of Saga, said: “This warrants an immediate and categorical response from the government. There is nothing worse than uncertainty, and thousands of elderly people and their families, have, in an instant, suddenly been told by representatives of frontline care providers – the LGA - that the system will not be able to cope, and that in some parts of the country home help will simply stop.

“But that uncertainty has been compounded: the government is saying the opposite – that there will be more money available for social care.

“There needs to be absolute clarification, and that clarification needs to be delivered – alongside assurances to the elderly and their families – that they will not be deserted.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

www.saga.co.uk