Your support helps us tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to big tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the finances of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word,’ which shines a light on American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know the importance of analyzing the facts of messaging. .
At such a critical moment in American history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to continue sending journalists to tell both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to block Americans from our reporting and analysis with a paywall. We believe that quality journalism should be available to everyone, and paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Kate Garraway faced Wes Streeting he Good morning Britain for “excessive, unpayable debt” she built while caring for her late husband.
On the first anniversary of The death of Derek Draperthe health secretary was invited to the breakfast show to discuss Labour’s health plans for the next term.
However, the appearance quickly turned fiery when Mrs Garraway challenged Streeting over the draining costs associated with caring for her husband – previously reported to be around £16,000 a month.
Draper, who was a psychotherapist and former Labor lobbyistdied weeks after suffering cardiac arrest following a years-long battle with the effects of Covid-19.
After spending almost 100 days in a coma, Draper was left needing constant care for the rest of his life, from professionals and from Garraway – but was ineligible for funding, prompting the broadcaster to use her own money to ensure her husband had the help that he needed her.
Garraway previously revealed she had debts of between £500,000 and £800,000, which she said were “exorbitant” and “unpayable” by Streeting.
Talking to Work politician on plans for a new national care service, which will be run independently, Garraway said: “Over the last few weeks, the family and I have been talking about the challenges we faced this time last year. One of the most important when he returned to intensive care before he passed away was dealing with care funding.
She continued: “At the time of his death there were two requests for funding that had not been heard. It kept getting pushed back and pushed back. In the meantime, I’m lucky to have an amazing job that pays well. I had to finance the situation. Now I have huge bad debts because of it.
“If I’m in that position, what will other people be?” Garaway asked, adding, “People can’t afford four more years of this!”
Watch Apple TV+ for free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after a free trial period. Schedule automatic renewal until it is canceled
Watch Apple TV+ for free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after a free trial period. Schedule automatic renewal until it is canceled
Streeting, speaking from Carlisle, told Garraway in response: “Firstly Kate, I know many viewers will feel the same after watching [Draper’s story]. Your anniversary that you are experiencing – you and your family – we are all with you.
“I think that’s why your story connects with so many people. You are not just a familiar face on the screens, your viewers feel they have a relationship with you as a presenter.
“It’s also because your experience with Derek and your family’s experience resonates with so many people across the country who are struggling with the same costs or the same unmet needs or similar experiences.”
He agreed there needed to be a change about who should cover the cost of social care, telling Garraway and her co-host Adil Ray: “I think one of the reasons we’ve always gone back to this short-term cycle of failure is: whenever we talk about social care , there are also costs.
“It kind of makes people run for the hills and want to bury their heads in the sand in politics, because sometimes those numbers can be scary.
“One of the reasons why I really think – even with the size of the majority that we have – that it’s a good thing to try to build a cross-party consensus is that I want to come up with a plan that means that whoever is in government after the next general election or the one after that, whether whether it’s a Labor or a Conservative government or a coalition, or whoever, generally speaking, we’re keeping the same course of action on social care in the way we have with the NHS since 1948.”
Mr Streeting was speaking as he announced the first steps towards the creation of a National Care Service, with an independent commission due to begin in the spring.
The timeline means proposals for long-term funding and major welfare reform in England may not be delivered until 2028.
Mr Streeting told BBC Radio 4’s Today program that for him the national care service was “in line with national standards – consistent access to high-quality care for older and disabled people across the country”.
When asked if people would no longer have to sell their homes to pay for care, he said: “I would certainly like to see people protected from the catastrophic costs of previous care which lead to people being forced to sell their homes and move out.”
The government faced criticism last summer after chancellor Rachel Reeves abandoned proposals by Sir Andrew Dilnot, whose recommendations had been accepted by the previous government.
Dilnot’s plan would cap the amount elderly or disabled people pay for care at £86,000, with councils covering further costs. The proposal would also allow people to keep more of their savings before hitting the cap.
Mr Streeting said on Friday that Labor was prepared to implement the proposals of the Dilnot Commission on Social Care but “we found that the money was not there”.