Liz Kendall MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Care and Older People, responding to reports that the Government is U-turning on the Care Bill and human rights, said:

“This is a welcome U-turn by Ministers – including the Lib Dem Care Minister – who previously voted against having this human rights protection in the Care Bill currently going through Parliament.

“During the passage of the Bill, Labour voted in favour of the Human Rights Act covering those who receive publicly funded or arranged care, and tabled amendments to restore the measure when Tory and Lib Dem MPs took it out.

“Ministers appear finally to have seen sense on the issue – but the wider problem of the crisis in care created under this Government remain. Budgets have been cut to the bone, with £2.7 billion lost since 2010, and the Care Bill is depressingly unambitious.

“As well as human rights protection, we need Labour’s plans to integrate NHS and social care, which are the real reforms we need to ensure all elderly people get decent care and support.”