by political editor Paul Francis

A council has rejected an appeal to cap the rises in care charges to the county's most vulnerable people.

It comes as Kent County Council revealed more than 3,500 will pay at least 20% extra for home care help following a controversial decision to hike the fees.

But at a full council meeting, opposition Labour county councillor Les Christie urged KCC to cap any increases to either 5% or £10 a week.

He said KCC’s decision to increase charges as part of a budget squeeze was starving vulnerable people out of the system.

"My reading of these figures is that with inflation running at 5.6% and energy prices at 18%, the county’s most vulnerable people are being starved out of the system and it is a disgrace."

But Cllr Graham Gibbens (Con), KCC cabinet member for adult services, rejected the appeal.

He emphasised the council was continuing to offer care packages to those with moderate needs, not just those with serious problems.

Under the care changes, KCC is increasing the amount of available income taken into account when working out a person’s charge from 85% to 100%.

There will also be a reduction in the money allocated for people living with a disability from £21 to £17 a week.

KCC has also introduced charges for those who use mental health services for the first time.

Taken together, the package will raise an additional £2.9m for the authority.