Free personal care hailed as a success

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 28th Sep 2004

Figures showing the success of the introduction of free personal and nursing care in Scotland have been welcomed by Crawley Liberal Democrats. The scheme is one that the Liberal Democrats have long supported and it should be introduced all over the country - and that includes Crawley - says Cllr.Gordon Seekings.

"The importance of free personal care cannot be overstated. The scheme enables elderly residents to stay in their own home and not to lose benefits etc. if they have to spend time in hospital. The scheme, introduced in Scotland as a result of the joint Liberal Democrats/Labour administration provides conclusive proof that the flagship Liberal Democrat policy of providing free personal and nursing care was a massive success."

Commenting further on the figures, Cllr.Gordon Seekings said: "The introduction of free personal care was a key commitment for the Liberal Democrats in Scotland and is a scheme we would like to see in England and Wales as well. The fact that the Labour government at Westminster has refused to introduce free personal care for pensioners in England and Wales demonstrates clearly that this is a Liberal Democrat success story."