Dementia tax: Recording shows Tories 'explicitly' ruled out care cap despite Theresa May's claims

Theresa May's claim that "nothing has changed" about the Conservatives' so-called Dementia Tax has been blown apart after new proof that the Tories explicitly ruled out a cap on care costs.

The Prime Minister claimed on Monday morning that Tory policy had been the victim of "fake claims" by Labour and the media in its reporting of the policy.

She refused to acknowledge that she was performing a U-turn on the policy by saying it would now include a cap on care costs – arguing that one had been included in the policy all along.

But a recording shows Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, appearing on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Friday morning to defend the Conservatives' policy – and explicitly ruling out a cap on care costs.

The Health Secretary said in absolute terms that the Tories were dropping plans for such a cap and that their manifesto was "explicit" about dropping it – directly contradicting Ms May's statement this morning.

Talking about care funding proposals, he said: “What is the alternative? I think that is the important thing, because I know you had Sir Andrew Dilnot on earlier. If you have that cap, that was his proposal, if you have that cap…" Mr Hunt said, before being interrupted.

He continued: “We couldn’t be being clearer: not only are we dropping it [the cap], but we are dropping it ahead of a general election, and we’re being completely explicit in our manifesto that we’re dropping it.”

The Conservatives' care cap policy was branded the "Dementia Tax" after critics pointed out it was effectively an inheritance tax on assets over £100,000 for people who need social care.

The name refers to the fact that the charges would have to be paid by people with long-term care needs – notably those unlucky enough to suffer from dementia.

The party says the policy is fair because people will not have to pay the charge until after they die – like inheritance tax.

Despite saying the Tories are now commited to a cap the Prime Minister has refused to say what its level will be, raising fears that a high cap could be a totally meaningless gesture.