Tory plans to cut regulations for care homes are a throwback to the Victorian era, according to LGA Labour group leader, Sir Jeremy Beecham. The Conservatives' economic competitiveness policy group will launch a series of new initiatives this week, including proposals to cut planning and building regulations for care homes. ‘It seems like a retrograde step,' said Sir Jeremy. ‘People are entitled to decent, comfortable accommodation, particularly when they are elderly. They sound like Victorian workhouses. Unnecessary bureaucracy is to be avoided, but safety and decency ought not to be sacrificed. Speaking to The MJ, policy group chairman, John Redwood, denied earlier reports that the party would announce plans on Friday to cut regulations in order to free up more places for elderly people. ‘We have absolutely no intention of relaxing health and safety regulations on care homes – nor do we want a less safe world. On care homes, what we are saying is that building regulations and planning rules are sometimes too prescriptive,' he added. ‘There should be more freedom of choice so more care homes can be built.' Mr Redwood said the party would be looking at regulations such as the size of rooms and the number of beds permitted. The report will call for a five-year programme of deregulation in order to create £14bn annual savings for British businesses. ‘One of the biggest deregulations will be to free local government from best value and performance regulations,' added Mr Redwood. ‘Performance regulations should be based on targets set by local councillors and the requirement to win local elections. We elect local government to take decisions for our communities. I don't think central government should be second-guessing them.'
