SOCIAL services chiefs have confirmed plans to increase care home charges that are likely to leave about 3,500 paying more for help in their own home.

Opposition parties and disabled groups have condemned Kent County Council's decision, which will save the council £628,000.

The ruling Conservative administration said the alternative of making it more difficult for people to qualify for care would have been worse.

Contributions to the costs of care are currently based on 65 per cent of available income; that is to rise to between 80 and 85 per cent of available income. It is likely to mean some elderly and disabled people seeing their weekly bills rise by about £15.

Carers often provide vital help to the elderly, disabled and chronically ill with activities like washing and dressing, as well as meals-on-wheels.

Cllr Kevin Lynes (Con), KCC's cabinet member for adult services, said: "We are aware that increase will create a degree of difficulty but not everybody who is receiving domiciliary care will be affected.

"Those people who currently pay nothing will continue to do so, unless their financial circumstances change."

The alternative option of tightening eligibility criteria to help save money would have caused more problems, he added.

"Two-thirds of social services authorities have done that simply to balance their books. In Kent, we think that is a short-term solution.

"Those people who are excluded from access to preventative care would be likely to come bacl later with more serious problems," he said.

Opposition Labour spokesman Cllr Les Christie accused KCC of ignoring widespread opposition to the hike.

"The people of Kent must wonder what is the point of responding to KCC's consultation exercises as any outcome which doesn't suit the Conservative administration is just ignored.

"The Tories decided in their budget this year to spend the money from these increased charges on creating Kent TV, which means nothing to the most vulnerable people in Kent yet they are being asked to pay for it."