Council proposes £25.92 'lifting charge' to help elderly up when they fall [View all]

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In case you were wondering, this is a Tory / UKIP council, in an area with a large elderly population. I am wondering who on earth the Councillor is referring to when he says that there is a demand for this nonsense from "users"...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/essex-council-to-charge-2592-lifting-charge-to-help-elderly-up-when-they-fall-a6778376.html

A local council has defended plans to charge pensioners £26 to help them to their feet if they've had a fall at home.

Tendring District Council, in Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, has come under fire after proposing a £25.92 additional annual charge to around 2,500 Essex residents who use its Careline service.

The “lifting service” will mean Careline staff go to the home of the elderly person with a touch of a special alarm button.

Paul Honeywood, a local councillor in favour of the scheme, told the Independent the council needed the additional charge in order to continue offering the service: “Having consulted users we have discovered there is a demand and the idea is now going through the budget process with a final decision to be made in February.”