Tories set for rebellion over ‘stealth' social care changes

Boris Johnson is facing mounting Conservative anger and the prospect of a damaging Commons rebellion over social care reform, after it emerged that poorer pensioners face paying more for the cost of care.

- ASHLEY COWBURN

Boris Johnson is facing mounting Conservative anger and the prospect of a damaging Commons rebellion over social care reform, after it emerged that poorer pensioners face paying more for the cost of care. One northern Tory MP told The Independent they were “very concerned” following the publication of a policy paper revealing that the means-tested support provided to some pensioners by local authorities would not count towards the £86,000 lifetime cap.

The prime minister already faces dissent on the backbenches over the botched attempt to prevent Owen Paterson’s suspension – resulting in weeks of sleaze allegations – and accusations of “betrayal” over scaled-back rail plans, while the polls show a dip in Conservative support.

In a further blow to the government ahead of the social care proposals being debated in the Commons today, former Tory cabinet minister Robert Buckland suggested he would vote against the changes, and urged the government to “look again”. “We’re in danger of putting the cart before the horse,” he warned on LBC Radio. “There’s a lot of concern out there about this issue and I know the government is listening to those concerns.”

Andrew Percy, the Conservative MP for Brigg and Goole, questioned the impact of the proposals on poorer communities, particularly in the north, telling The Independent: “I’m very concerned about what I’ve seen of the changes so far. The whole purpose of this should be to protect the assets of those who have the least.