Compulsory social care payment scheme 'not ruled out'

The government has not ruled out introducing a compulsory payment scheme for social care, sources say. During the election campaign the Conservatives campaigned against the so-called "death tax" to pay for social care.

However, government sources have made clear that the Commission on Funding for Care and Support, set up on Tuesday, will be able to consider all options including voluntary and compulsory schemes. The Conservatives had backed a voluntary insurance scheme and pulled out of cross-party talks on the future of social care ahead of the election because the compulsory option was not ruled out.

A government spokesman said: "As the coalition agreement makes clear the commission will look at both voluntary and partnership models of funding. We do not wish to constrain the commission from considering other options such as compulsory schemes."