CHANGES to the way residential social care is paid for in Monmouthshire will increase a £40 million a year “funding black hole”, according to a leading care expert.

Mario Kreft MBE, the chair of Care Forum Wales, has expressed his support in principle for the Welsh Government’s decision to increase the capital limit in charging.

The minister for social services, Rebecca Evans, announced that the limit would increase from £24,000 to £30,000, with further plans to more than double the limit in phases to £50,000.

Speaking on Monday, she said: “Older people who have worked hard and paid in all their lives deserve a fairer deal.

“That is why, over the course of this Assembly, we will double the amount of money that older people can keep when in care.

“This government has prioritised social services as a sector of national strategic importance.

“In recognition of this, we have announced an extra £55 million for social services in 2017-18.”

The changes were announced as part of the Welsh Government’s five-year plan, “Taking Wales Forward”.

Despite the minister describing the new policy coming at “a really exciting time for social care in Wales”, Mr Kreft believes the new approach is “flawed” as it will plunge the sector in Monmouthshire into a “deeper financial crisis”.

He said: “Every silver lining has a cloud and the reality here is that local government will now have to fund any shortfall.

“This is a matter for the Welsh Government Local Association, for the 22 local authorities, and it will undoubtedly put extra pressure on them.

“Lifting the cap on the increases in the charges for domiciliary care is a step in the right direction but it does not go far enough.

“We need a fundamental review of domiciliary care funding so we can have a proper domiciliary care market instead of perpetuating an artificial market.

“One way or another, the only answer is to bring more money into the system and it is something that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency.”