Social care changes: How will the new system work?

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A lifetime cap on the amount anyone pays for social care in England was announced by the government in September.

But it has now said any means-tested help poorer people get will not count towards the limit.

What is being proposed for England?

People will no longer pay more than £86,000 in care costs over their lifetime, from October 2023
The cap only covers personal care, not living costs such as food, energy bills or accommodation
Once people have reached the cap, ongoing costs for personal care will be paid by local authorities
People with assets under £20,000 won't have to contribute to care costs, compared to £14,250 at present, although they might have to contribute from their income
Those with between £20,000 and £100,000 in assets will get means-tested help towards costs from their local council, compared to the current upper capital limit of £23,250

The government says it wants to ensure people get support but are not unfairly reaching the cap at an artificially faster rate than others. It said:

However, critics warn people with fewer savings who qualify for financial help may end up using more of their own assets than better-off people.

The Kings Fund health charity said "those with low to moderate levels of wealth will get less protection than wealthier people".

Announcing the changes, the government also confirmed the level of daily living costs people have to pay themselves will be set at £200 per week.

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The changes are expected to raise £12bn a year
The government says that, for three years, all the money will go towards easing the NHS backlog, before more of it is moved into social care

The government says £2.2bn will be made available
Personal care, such as help with washing and dressing, is currently free in Scotland for those assessed by their local authority as needing it
Some care costs are capped in Wales
And home care is free for the over-75s in Northern Ireland