Wednesday 2 November 2022 07:43 AM Social care cap faces delay as part of Rishi Sunak's attempt to fill financial ... trends now
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The cap on social care costs promised by the Government could be delayed until after the next election, it emerged last night.
As part of plans to fill a £50billion black hole in the public finances, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Health Secretary Steve Barclay are understood to have approved a postponement of at least a year.
The two men also agreed that the NHS budget would be 'protected' from cuts.
However, hospitals will be asked to find 'efficiencies' to help fund work to cut the record waiting list, which has topped seven million.
As part of plans to fill a £50billion black hole in the public finances, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt (pictured) and Health Secretary Steve Barclay are understood to have approved a postponement of at least a year
A one-year delay on the original start point would entail October 2024 – close to the final date possible for the next election. But Whitehall sources said it might be pushed out further as ministers scramble to find savings.
One source pointed out that the health and social care levy, which was supposed to help pay for the care cap, has since been scrapped. They added: 'It's looking like at least a one-year postponement for now, but that could slip further by the time we get to the Budget on November
