Crivvens!

Do you think Alan Johnson reads this blog?

In my post here, I said this: -

Here’s a wee idea of mine. How about giving older people some proper purchasing power? Special grants for groups of older people (who could all be friends or family members, say, or who could have hitched up for the sole purpose of getting a group house) to buy and, if necessary, adapt houses for them to live in. Then, through an expanded and boosted direct payments scheme give them some cash to buy in the health and social care they want and need. Make them the employers, let them call the shots about who comes to - say - give them a bath and when. That’s certainly how I would like to run my old age.

And now the Health Sec announces this

Elderly people in England are to be given cash to fund their own social care, the health secretary has said.

From April, millions of pensioners will be handed control over how the money is spent, rather than relying on social workers to make the decisions.

Alan Johnson, who officially announced the scheme on Monday, said it was a “radical transfer of power from the state to the public”.

Younger disabled people could also be allocated a “personal budget” for care.

Councils will be given £520m over three years to improve services.

Individuals will be means-tested to assess their health and personal needs, and councils will then pay the cash into their bank accounts or those of nominated relatives.

OK, so it’s not exactly what I said, but it’s near as makes no difference!

Alan, if you’re reading - nice one! And can you chuck the ancillary workers a few more quid please? Thanks.