Social care deal ´dead in water´ ahead of key talks

Hopes of reaching a cross-party deal on funding social care appear to be dead in the water.

The three main parties are due to take part in talks hosted by the merged Age Concern and Help the Aged charity.

But despite pleas from council chiefs for unity, fresh rows about policy differences have erupted.

The Tories, who have dubbed one of the government´s proposals a death tax, also ruled out relaxing their position so a compromise deal can be reached.

The latest talks were organised on the back of a Department of Health summit three weeks ago which was boycotted by the Tories.

The meeting, which will involve senior local government officials, charities and older people, is likely to be the last opportunity for the parties to meet on the issue before the expected start of an election campaign next month.