Conservative Council cut support for older citizens

12.00.00am GMT Sun 30th Jan 2005

Jef Foulger is appalled at the callous way that this Conservative-led Council continues to be led by budget, not need.

The elderly in Bromley have suffered another blow. Bromley's Council has cut care services, depriving many frail and effectively housebound residents of vital shopping and cleaning services.

"I am appalled at the callous way that this Conservative-led Council continues to be led by budget, not need," said Jef Foulger, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Beckenham Liberal Democrats. "Care services are a much-needed lifeline, helping the elderly keep their independence and to remain living at home. These extra cuts in domiciliary care will be, for many, the last straw."

Liberal Democrat councillors are particularly concerned at the risk to safety.

"Those unable to shop for their own needs have always had peace of mind, knowing that the shoppers who called on them had been security-vetted. Now many are being told to make their own arrangements, leaving themselves wide open to confidence tricksters and worse," said Cllr Denise Payton, a Clock House councillor. "Services provided by supermarkets, such as Tescos, are not a satisfactory option either for those hard of hearing or require help to work out what they need."