Older People Suffer Under Tories

12.18.22pm GMT Mon 31st Jan 2005

Graham Oakes believes the Tories under-funding of Social Services at County Hall will be a deciding factor in this year's county council elections.

"Successive governments have under-funded the County Council, combined with the Tories poor management at County Hall, the older people of Dorset are now paying the price."

"The Tories pledged 0% increases in council tax, yet this has risen more than neighbouring Lib Dem controlled Somerset."

"Older people in South Dorset are being hit by high council tax, an unfair tax that particularly hits older people, which needs urgently replacing with Local Income Tax."

"They also are not getting the services they need due to under funding."

Dorset spends £4,000,000 less than the average shire county on domiciliary care (supporting people in their own homes as an alternative to care homes).