David Ruffley MP this week supported Conservative party proposals for a radical scheme to avoid the need for old people to use up their life savings and property to pay for residential care. The Conservative plan is for a three-year partnership scheme between Government, the insurance industry and families.

People who take out an insurance plan that meets the cost of three years' long-term care would be guaranteed free long-term care by Government beyond those three years, regardless of their assets.

Mr Ruffley said:

'Free means-tested long-term care would still be available to those whose assets are too low to meet any long-term care costs privately. 40,000 people a year suffer the indignity of having to sell everything to pay for long-term care. Labour have not come up with any proposal to address this huge area of concern. The proposed three year partnership scheme would be fairer, more transparent and would provide a vital safety net for all elderly people in Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket.'