WEST Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett has branded the proposed 100 per cent rise in charges for the Poppy Day Centre in Okehampton as ?unacceptable?.
Mr Burnett took up the case of disabled and elderly users of the day centre following a recent advice surgery in Okehampton where he was visited by one of the centre?s concerned clients.
In a letter to the director of Devon County Council?s Social Services, Mr Burnett states: ?All users of the Poppy Day Centre in Okehampton are rightly outraged by the huge increase?.
Mrs Vera Wellman who contacted Mr Burnett about the increases said: ?These charges completely ignore any hardship, distress or circumstances this may cause to the individual.?
Mrs Wellman said this hike in charges which are currently £5 a session, on top of an above inflation increase in council tax ?18 per cent ? and a below inflation increase in pensions would impose yet another financial hardship. She said the increase could lead to people withdrawing from this essential service purely because of financial considerations.
Mrs Wellman, who is 81-year-old and registered blind, said: ?Once again, it is the elderly having another burden imposed upon them which brings to life very clearly the feeling that ?the uncaring society? really does exist.?
Users currently pay a charge of £5 per session, but under the new rules, they may end up paying £5 to attend, plus the same again to meet transport and meal costs.
The new rules on day centre charging, which are due to come into effect on February 2 next year, will affect all Devon County Council-run day centres.
The change in charging policy was introduced by the Government and is intended to create a fairer system by adopting a means-tested approach.