CAMPAIGNERS for older people have called on ministers to change the proposed £72,000 cap on elderly care costs after it emerged only one in eight people will benefit.

The revelation that the new scheme in England, to be introduced in 2016, would help so few individuals came from the government as it set out details about how the system will work.

Blackburn with Darwen Age UK chairman Ian Woolley and former Burnley MP Peter Pike said ministers must move the cap lower so more people would avoid being crippled by care costs in old age.

Pendle Tory MP Andrew Stephenson backed the proposal saying most families in East Lancashire would save significant sums of money if they needed residential or nursing assistance in retirement. Care Minister Norman Lamb said the cap was never going to be the ‘panacea’ for the problem but, while the cover was limited, it should help provide reassurance across society.

Mr Woolley, 81, said: “I was a bit surprised to see this research.

“It suggests the cap is too low if it will help so few people. The government needs to look again at the level of the cap before they bring this in.”

Mr Pike, the 76-year-old chairman of Burnley Labour party and campaigner on older people’s issues said: “It’s not going to make much difference if it’s going to affect only one in eight people.

“I certainly think they need to look at this again and move the cap to a level that is going to help more people and their families.”

Mr Stephenson said: “This is a very important change setting out the direction for the future.

“The cap is set at a level where is going to make a real difference to people and families across East Lancashire.”