Make an enquiry

    Enquiry Form









    Contact

      Enquiry Form






      Supporting Document


      We are welcoming clients back to our offices Find Out More
      FJG Solicitors in Essex, Colchester, Chelmsford, London – Fisher Jones Greenwood
      • 0845 543 5700
      • [email protected]
      • Make an enquiry
      • Online Payment
      • Home
      • Services
        • Services for you
          • Advocacy
          • Civil & Commercial Disputes
          • Clinical and Medical Negligence
          • Conveyancing
          • Employment Law
          • Family Law
          • Children Law
          • Immigration & Visas
          • Notary Services
          • Personal Injury
          • Wills, Life Planning & Probate
        • Services for business
          • Academies Portal
          • Agricultural and Rural
          • Business Immigration
          • Commercial Dispute Resolution
          • Commercial Litigation
          • Professional Negligence
          • Commercial Property
          • Construction Law
          • Planning Consultancy
          • Corporate and Commercial
          • Education Services
          • Employment Law
          • Healthcare Services
          • International Services
          • Landlord & Tenant Services
        • Services by sector
          • Agriculture & Estates
          • Care Homes
          • Charities & Social Enterprise
          • Construction
          • Education Law
          • Energy
          • Family Owned Business
          • Healthcare & Dentistry
      • Our people
      • About us
        • CSR
        • Awards
        • Our Vision
        • Accessibility
        • Careers
        • Work Experience
        • Equality & Diversity
        • FLOCC
        • FJG Foundation
        • SAFE Forum
      • News, Events & Insights
      • Blog
      • Podcasts
      • Contact us
        • Colchester
        • Chelmsford
        • Clacton-on-Sea
        • Billericay
        • Braintree
        • Frinton-on-Sea
        • Holland-on-Sea
        • London

      Social Care announcements

      10 September 2021 by James Bird

      Many will probably have seen that the latest topic of debate in Parliament is Social Care and how it is in dire need of further funding and reform. The social care system has faced large amounts of complaints and criticisms for many years now and this for most is a long overdue topic that needed to be reviewed. With the impact of the pandemic to add to further pressures, the Prime Minister has today announced proposals which will impact everyone, but what are they? Not too much has been revealed but this is what we know.

      Health and Social Care Levy

      The first announcement made was that everyone will have to pay increased National Insurance contributions. Currently everyone who works has to make National Insurance contributions which usually come from source of pay (if an employee). These however will be increasing by 1.25% and is being labelled as a Health and Social Care Levy. It has been proposed in this way so that everyone will then contribute further based on their income (so those with higher income pay more). By being a separate tax (as opposed to being an increase in income tax) the government has argued that it will go directly to where it is needed, the NHS and other supporting social care services.

      The government has also proposed that tax on dividends will be increased as well by 1.25%. Therefore this will only affect individuals who own shares that produce an income (ie dividends).

      It is believed that these increases will come into effect from April 2022. Then in April 2023 the Health and Social Care Levy will appear as a separate tax contribution as opposed to being part of National Insurance contributions.

      Care Fees

      The government today have announced proposed changes including caps on contributions by an individual and a change in the threshold for payment.

      From October 2023, it has been proposed that a cap will be introduced on the amount that an individual will have to pay for care during their lifetime. Currently there is no cap and so someone who requires care for significant periods of time will have to pay huge sums for necessary care until their assets fall within the thresholds. This means some individuals can pay well over £100,000 depending on circumstances and assets. The cap proposed however is that an individual will only pay a maximum of £86,000 across their lifetime towards care fees, after which the state will then fund further care.

      Although this sounds a lot still, it is a possible step in the right direction. Something that does remain to be seen however is to what extent this will impact care home fees as the government has stated that this cap will only apply to care provided and not accommodation.

      In addition to the proposed cap, there is also a proposed change in the thresholds for paying for care. Currently anyone with assets over £23,350 will have to pay their care costs in full. Those with assets below £23,350 may have to make contributions towards the care costs until they reach a lower threshold of savings (approximately £14,000).

      However under the new proposals, anyone who has assets below £20,000 will not have to pay anything towards their care. If you have assets between £20,000 and £100,000 then you will be eligible for means-tested support towards your costs. Again full details of these are expected over the coming weeks.

      With the announced proposals, the government is aiming to raise over £36 billion from the tax increases and Health and Social Care Levy which they claim will be put towards the NHS and social care system in the UK but much of this of course could still be subject to change and won’t be taking effect at least until the next year or so. There is also a lot to be disclosed about the social care reforms towards care fees so we will have to watch what happens.

      If you would like any further assistance, please contact us on 01206 835261 or email [email protected].

       

      Authors
      Archives
      Subscribe to RSS feed

      Recent Posts

      • Worth the wait
      • What is a section 37 report?
      • What is a section 7 report?
      @FJGSolicitors

      We've had a 5* review from Zoe: Moving home https://t.co/4lbJehtq0g

      22 hours

      RT @MistleyCC: How good did the new T20 kit look on Thursday?! 🔥 A massive thanks to @FJGSolicitors for sponsoring our kit this year! https…

      2 days

      We've had a 5* review from Nicholas: EXCELLENT ADVICE AND VERY EFFICIENT https://t.co/4lbJehtq0g

      2 days
      Billericay 01277 623132
      Braintree 01376 552828
      Chelmsford 01245 890110
      Colchester 01206 835300
      Clacton 01255 323103
      Frinton 01255 514100
      Holland-on-Sea 01255 818900
      London 08455 435700
      Sudbury 01787 373387
      • Disclaimer
      • Accessibility
      • Terms & Conditions
      • Privacy Policy
      • Cookies
      • Price & Service
      • Signup to our Newsletter
      • COVID-19 Risk Assessment

      Fisher Jones Greenwood is the trading name of Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP, a Limited Liability Partnership authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and registered in England ( Number: OC305854 ). A list of members is available for inspection at the registered office at Charter Court, Newcomen Way, Colchester Business Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 9YA

      This website uses cookies & data collection

      Our website uses cookies, which are small text files that are placed on your computer by websites that you visit to distinguish you from other users. They are widely used in order to help website owners like us provide you with the best user experience possible. They also provide us with information that can help us improve our websites and marketing activities. By clicking an item or link on this website, you agree to the use of cookies and other data collection.

      Find out more

      We are welcoming clients back to our offices

      Differing tiers and three lockdowns later, Fisher Jones Greenwood Solicitors are now pleased to be able to welcome clients safely back to our offices.

      Remote working and the digitalisation of the way we work, have been key to keeping FJG and the rest of the country going.

      • We are now able to offer, pre-booked face-to-face appointments. Although, we are still able to offer remote appointments if preferred.
      • You can continue to visit our offices at any time to post any correspondence and documents through letterboxes.

      If you are visiting an FJG office, covid-19 safety rules of social distancing, hand sanitization, and the wearing of masks will still apply.

      • Please be aware you will also need to have your temperature taken on arrival.
      • There will also be protective screens in place to protect you and our staff.

      Please do not hesitate to contact your legal adviser by email or by telephone should you have any worries or concerns. Alternatively, please call our main switchboard number (01206 835300), and a message to return your call will be relayed to the relevant person.

      Best wishes
      Paula Cameron
      Managing Partner