(U.K.) Government to protect elderly care budget from cuts

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Government to protect elderly care budget from cuts
By Matt Falloon
LONDON | Sat Oct 16, 2010 10:36pm BST

LONDON (Reuters) - The coalition government will protect funds for elderly care from its austerity drive, a Treasury official said Saturday.

The Conservative-Liberal Democrat administration will on Wednesday detail cuts to departmental budgets in a four-year spending review, fleshing out its plan to slash a record budget deficit by 2015.

The move to safeguard about 15 billion pounds spent on social care is intended to reinforce the coalition's promise to protect the vulnerable, given that welfare spending is expected to be heavily cut.

The decision may also ease tensions among some Lib Dems who are worried that their voice is not being heard in a Conservative-led government that relies on their support.

"On Wednesday, we will announce that there will be enough money for local authorities to protect social care services too," the official, who requested anonymity, said.



Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE69F1DH20101016