DISABLED PROTESTERS HIT OUT AT 'CARE LESS' HIKE IN COSTS
09:20 - 04 October 2006
"[ wheelchair users Richard Van der Fransen and Brian Steel] camped outside [Lincolnshire County] council offices for 24 hours [to criticise] a massive hike in care costs.
"Home care costs will now rise from £5.15 an hour to £10 an hour - a 94 per cent increase - and people's maximum weekly bills will be capped at £120 instead of £41.
"Lincolnshire County Council's consultation on the hike was both irrelevant and patronising, Mr Van der Fransen said.
"Mr Van der Fransen, ... said: "I don't think the survey was an adequate process. It was a pointless exercise.
""The survey was 25 pages long and there were only eight questions, with tick boxes."
"Council leader Councillor Martin Hill supported the changes.
""No homecare service user is being asked to pay the full cost of service they receive," he said.
""We believe it's important people who can pay more should pay more, to enable the council to provide high quality social care for those who need it."

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