A CHANGE in the government’s social care reforms has been backed by MPs including those across North Hampshire.

On Monday MPs backed an amendment to the Health and Care Bill with plans to stop council support payments counting towards a new £86,000 limit on lifetime care costs by 272 votes to 246.

Hampshire MPs voted in favour of the cap including Maria Miller (Conservative, Basingstoke), Ranil Jayawardena (Conservatives, North East Hampshire), and Kit Malthouse (Conservative, North West Hampshire).

But the Prime Minister had to survive a rebellion from several members of his own party, amid anger over how it will hit poorer pensioners.

Maria Miller tweeted after the vote: “Social Care costs are one of the biggest uncertainties people face in old age-this is the first time in 4 decades any Govt has brought forward costed proposals which would give certainty, leaving no one worse off and the majority better off if they require Social Care in old age.”

Under the government’s proposals, those with starting assets of £100,000 would be left with £20,000, compared to those with assets of £500,000 being left with £414,000.

It’s sparked accusations that it will be unfair on poorer people and those who live in areas where homes are worth less.

Ministers were unable to say whether the change to the £86,000 cap on care costs would fulfil an election pledge to guarantee no-one would have to sell their home to pay for care.

Labour and other opposition parties rejected the plan - with 19 Tory MPs rebelling against the government.

Boris Johnson has defended the plans and said they address “long-standing social injustice” that has seen those who suffer from conditions like dementia facing care costs.

The new cost cap will cover fees for personal care, like help with washing and dressing but will not cover living costs such as care home fees, food or utility bills.

As a result, under the government’s wider social care plan, from October 2023 those with assets less than £20,000 will not have to pay anything from these towards care fees, those with more than £100,000 in assets will not get any financial help from the council and those with assets between £20,000 and £100,000 will qualify for council help, but will have to pay £86,000 out of their own pocket to reach the cap.