Labour pledges free personal care for over 65s most in need

The Labour Party has pledged to introduce free personal care in England for the people aged over 65 who need it the most.

The policy, which will cost an estimated £6bn (€6.8bn; $7.5bn), was announced at the party’s annual conference by the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, on 23 September.

Currently, people with savings that exceed a threshold of £14 250 have to contribute to the cost of their care.

If enacted, Labour’s policy would double the number of people in England receiving state funded social care. It would also move England into line with Scotland, where free personal care is already available for people with …