IT WAS disappointing that the Labour group rejected Liberal Democrat budget proposals on February 28 to increase spending on adult social care.

Our plans maintained Labour’s existing investment in social care, but increased spending by more than £700,000 next year and reversed cuts in the support given to carers.

Before 2011, the council worked on the basis that proper preventative social care support could sustain independence and prevent a condition from deteriorating over time.

Labour’s decision to cut care for those with so-called ‘moderate’ needs in 2012 saw this approach abandoned and came at a huge personal cost to those affected.

The use of the term ‘moderate’ care needs always hides the fact that this support helped people to carry out basic tasks such as preparing a meal, running a bath, or taking part in social activities.

Six months after the cut, 50 per cent of those previously in the ‘moderate’ category saw their care needs increase and were moved into the ‘substantial’ category – meaning they needed more complex and expensive support.

Our extra investment was an attempt to reverse this damage and get the council back to the preventative principle.

Coun Lynn Jeffries, Liberal Democrat councillor for Westfield ward, Ostman Road, Acomb, York.