Age-old issue

Published on 12/07/2012 19:32

The property market was a one-way street for my generation and the baby-boomers following us. As a result, today half of all personal wealth in the UK is tied up in housing.

Yet when care costs loom, we refer to the “family home” as if it was part of the clan lands rather than an over-priced semi, most of whose value is pure windfall.

Sadly, our belief that, with mortgage and school fees a fading nightmare, we were in the clear was wishful thinking and there was obviously one more obstacle in our path.

In England, one person in four faces a care bill in excess of £50,000, one in ten a bill of £100,000 and comprehensive Scottish Government promises are manifestly untenable.

The health secretary Nicola Sturgeon has endorsed but not committed to capping and it is time for my generation to make one last provision – or accept the windfall will be forfeited.

(Dr) John Cameron

Howard Place

St Andrews