Home care Bill under fresh scrutiny

The Government's plans to provide free care services for elderly and vulnerable people have come under attack by former cabinet secretary Lord Butler.

The crossbench peer said the Personal Care at Home Bill risks becoming a "prime example" of poor legislation being rushed through Parliament by successive governments, following concerns over its funding.

Doubts have been cast over the £670 million price tag that the Government has forecast for the Bill, with many claiming that costs for the service could double.

The Bill, which the Government estimates would help some 400,000 people in need of care in the UK, will be subject to a second reading in the House of Lords, during which it is expected there will a Labour revolt to ensure the Government is aware of the level of concern over the level of scrutiny it has been subjected to.

However, health secretary Andy Burnham strongly defended the legislation, insisting it was an interim measure to tackle a postcode lottery that Parliament had repeatedly failed to address in the past.

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