THE consultation the government has promised into the Royal Commission's recommendations on the cost of care of the elderly in nursing homes is long overdue.

Taking most of their assets to meet the cost seems very harsh on hard-working folk, who probably scrimped and saved to get by in later life and still leave a legacy to their children.

Others in society make no provision, squander their earnings, live off the DSS, or simply can't put away savings due to losing their job or other hardship yet the country still provides the funds for their care in old age.

The nursing and care should be taken care of by the state.

The remainder of the cost should be met wholly or partially by the resident.

After all, it would cost them to live at home or in a hotel. The only other way is to raise the "cut-off level" on people's savings - to, say, £60,000.

K SOWERBUTTS (MR), Southwood Drive, Baxenden.

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