Letters: The unfairness of ‘free care for all’

Taking care

Sir: I agree completely with Leo McKinstry that care for parents should be paid out of their estate (‘Home economics’, 15 May). The costs of care are what people effectively work for, not for the passing on of wealth paid for by the taxpayer.

My mother lived until she was 100, and was in care for almost 14 years. Although she had a property and shares, we funded her care until her cash/share balance was £15,000. After this time she was means-tested and between her pension and the rent from her flat, we were able to pay for some of the care, with the rest paid for by the local council.

On her death the property was sold and the effective loan from the local authority was paid out of the proceeds of the sale. She was not forced to sell her property until she died, which allowed rent to be used to pay for some of the care. Obviously our inheritance was reduced, but why should the taxpayer subsidy my mother’s care so that we could inherit more? This is the system in Scotland and I believe it is fair and equitable to all.

Robin Duncan

Blairgowrie, Perth

Stormont brewing

Sir: Matthew Parris is so right when he says that ‘There are battles we should not pick — particularly if they can be won by subtler means’ (‘My fears about an Irish border poll’, 22 May). In an ideal world, Sinn Fein will shortly decide they cannot work with the Poots nominee for First Minister. Stormont will be suspended under the Belfast Agreement and direct rule will return. We would then have possibly a five- to ten-year strategic period to test cross-border co-operation in health, housing, education and especially the economy. Energy is already working on this basis. The dreaded paramilitaries will wake up one morning and realise Ireland is operating perfectly as one.