Families feel pressure as care subsidy is scrapped

2 days ago

Aisha Iqbal

BBC Yorkshire, Political Reporter

Reporting fromBradford

Jo Brearton's son Danny is 26 and autistic and relies on his mum completely for his care

Aisha Iqbal/BBC A middle-aged woman with long brown hair, glasses and wearing a green top, is pictured with a young man, in his 20s, who wears a red T-shirt. They are standing in a kitchen. They are clasping each other's hands and looking at each other. — Jo Brearton's son Danny is 26 and autistic and relies on his mum completely for his care

Thousands of vulnerable people in Bradford could see sharp rises in day care charges from next month, prompting fears many may be forced to cancel lifeline services.

Bradford Council has approved plans to phase out a long-standing subsidy known as the "discretionary buffer", which determines how much the authority gives before people must start paying for their own care.

Scrapping it could see some s' weekly care bills rise by up to £58 – over £3,000 a year, according to council figures.

The authority has said everyone affected would get a full financial reassessment before being asked to pay more, but affected families have urged the council to reconsider the end of the subsidy.

About 4,000 people - mainly older adults and those with learning disabilities who live, and are cared for, at home - are expected to be affected by the new rules.

Jo Brearton says the contributions towards Danny's day care costs could triple in July

Aisha Iqbal/BBC A middle-aged woman with long brown hair, glasses and wearing a dark green top, sits in a kitchen. — Jo Brearton says the contributions towards Danny's day care costs could triple in July

Bradford's 25% discretionary buffer, introduced over a decade ago, allowed individuals needing day care to retain more of their income before charges kicked in.

The authority said its arrangements had been "generous", but its own financial pressures had forced a rethink.

Scrapping the buffer would bring the city in line with other West Yorkshire councils, and was expected to raise £5.6m annually towards the cash-strapped authority's £133m adult social care spend.

The council said the buffer would not be removed all at once, but would be phased out over two years - with 50% to go in July this year and the rest in July 2026.

However, affected families have said the delay offered little comfort, with a recent public consultation revealing that 17% of respondents feared they would have to cancel their day care services if the charges went through.

Nearly 70% of respondents said they would need to cut other household spending or total care hours, while over half expressed concern about the toll on their mental and physical health.

Danny's mum says his one session a week of day care at a centre in Keighley offers a vital break for them both

Jo Brearton A young man aged in his 20s and with short, brown cropped hair sits clutching several cuddly toys. He wears a blue dressing gown. — Danny's mum says his one session a week of day care at a centre in Keighley offers a vital break for them both

Jo Brearton, a full-time carer in Bradford, told the BBC that if the subsidy was lost, she would have to cancel the only day of external care her 26-year-old son, Danny, received each week

Danny, who is autistic and has complex needs, attends a day centre in Keighley every Friday.

Ms Brearton said that single day provided variety in his weekly routine and gave her a rare moment of respite - and its loss could be devastating.

"That leaves me and Danny at home 24-7," she explained.

"That one day off from Danny I have, I don't think it's a lot to ask.

"When that Friday session is gone, that's his routine blown out of the water.

"He'll be thinking, in his own way, 'why aren't I going":[]}