TORY councillors in the south have demanded an urgent inquiry into Government plans to offer elderly people free personal care amid fears the financial burden on local authorities could push up council tax.

Senior members of Southampton City Council and Hampshire County Council said proposals to provide free home help for those with the highest needs were “unclear, unfunded and likely to have a significant impact on existing local services, including possible cuts and rises in council tax”.

But the Government hit back, saying it was “extremely disappointing”

that some councils in the south were complaining about their ability to fund their share of what it insisted were fully costed plans.

The councillors joined more than 70 leaders of social care throughout England in warning that the Personal Care at Home Bill, in which the proposals are contained, had “major weaknesses and risks adding further strain to an existing system already under considerable financial pressure”.

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Their claims, in a letter to The Times newspaper, centre on an alleged shortfall in Government cash to pay for the personal care as part of the first step towards setting up a new National Care Service.

Ministers have pledged £420m next year – and told councils to find an additional £250m in efficiency savings – to fund support for an estimated 400,000 vulnerable people with care needs.

But the councillors, who include Ivan White from Southampton City Council and Felicity Hindson from Hampshire County Council, said central government had “significantly underestimated the numbers eligible for this support and also the likely cost of each care package”.

They cited research carried out by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services suggesting that the average cost of care was about £200 per person per week – “substantially greater” than the £103 per week the Government has estimated. Their letter called on ministers to commission an independent review of the proposals before taking them any further.

However Care Services Minster Phil Hope insisted the Government’s costings were clear and accurate, and said: “It is extremely disappointing that [these councillors] support the principles of the Bill and reforming the system but, on the other hand,will quibble and complain and find reasons not to make it happen.

“Care recipients in these council areas will be shocked that local authorities are apparently unable to find efficiencies to deliver this priority when significant extra funding is being provided by the Government.”

He added: “The Personal Care at Home Bill will help people with the greatest needs now. It will help them to live independently in their own homes, getting the personal care they need, free of charge. We know that people want to maintain their independence and stay in their own homes and this Bill will help them do that. It is a step towards our long term goal of delivering a National Care Service that’s simple, fair and affordable for everyone.”