Free long term healthcare should be a top priority for the Government, according to an opinion poll ...
Free long term healthcare should be a top priority for the Government, according to an opinion poll carried out by IFA group RJ Temple.
700 people across the country were questioned about which strategic objectives the Chancellor should concentrate on during the coming term, in a survey carried out after the last general election. Almost 60% of respondents felt that free long term care should be a priority. The objective was supported by 54% of men and 66% of women questioned.
Liz Walkington, communications manager at RJ Temple, said: 'Interestingly, these results come at a time when tens of thousands of elderly people are being threatened with VAT charges on nursing home fees. According to specialist health and community information provider Laing & Buisson, this would mean 30% of people in residential homes could face an extra 17.5% charge. In contrast, the Scottish Executive has committed £200m to fund personal as well as nursing care over the next two years. Our research, carried out across the whole country, clearly shows that an overwhelming majority of people would like to see long term care become a free service.'
However, only 27% of those questioned said that raising taxes to improve health and education should be top of the agenda.
