MPs have given their opinion on controversial changes to the Government's social care reforms.

In September, the Government announced that an £86,000 cap on care costs would be put in place from October 2023 as part of The Health and Social Care Bill.

But in a policy paper released on Wednesday, the Government said that for people who receive financial support for part of their care from their local authority, only the share they contribute themselves will go towards the £86,000 cap.

And groups said the change would mean such households receiving 'far less protection than expected', and that they could still face catastrophic costs that would eat up a greater share of their assets compared with wealthier recipients.

On Monday night, MPs backed an amendment to the bill required to implement the Government's proposed cap by 272 votes to 246, despite a backbench rebellion.

Ministers have come under fire for changes to proposals which critics have said will mean poorer recipients of care, including those in the north of England and in areas with lower house prices, will be hit hardest by a cap on costs.

Barrow and Furness Labour Party challenged Simon Fell to explain how the latest amendment to the new Social Care Bill by the government will help level up people in the area.

Chris Altree, chairman of the Barrow and Furness Constituency Labour Party, said: “If your home is valued at less than £186,000, it has been calculated you will lose out on the benefits the Tories claim will come from their reforms.

"This will happen right across the North, and in Barrow, where the house price average is just over £155,000, it is easy to see people will not be better off.

"The negative effect of this amendment will not impact upon homeowners in constituencies in London or the South East. In Greater London house prices average over £670,000 so once again, we see that Conservatives are much more concerned with protecting the wealthy at the expense of ordinary people in our area. So much for levelling up."

Simon Fell, MP for Barrow and Furness, was unable to travel to the House of Commons to vote due to a leg injury - but described the new system as one which will be 'fairer and more affordable for all'.

He said: "In September the Prime Minister announced a plan for adult social care that will protect individuals and families against unpredictable and potentially catastrophic care costs.

"From October 2023, no eligible person starting adult social care will have to pay more than £86,000 for personal care over their lifetime.

"There is currently no limit to care costs, which has seen far too many people lose their life savings and assets to pay for social care.

"The current system means that if a parent or loved one goes into care, you will only be able to keep £14,250 of your entire life savings and assets.

"And if you have over £23,250 savings or assets then you get no help at all towards care home costs. The new capping system addresses this out of date and unfair system.

"What the new system means is that people will now be allowed to keep more of their own assets and the state will pick up the bulk of the cost.

"The new system is not perfect but crucially, no one will lose out. Everybody will be better off under the system we are proposing that the one currently in operation.

"I would like the Government to look at an insurance system moving forward where people are given choice to cover themselves and their assets against social care costs.

"Personally I believe that this will improve the system and make it much fairer and more affordable for all.

"I will continue to work with Ministers and colleagues to make this view heard and continue to improve the social care system."

South Lakes MP Tim Farron voted against changes to how much people have to pay for their social care.

He said: “I was proud to vote against the Government’s half-baked and deeply unfair social care plans on Monday night.

“Of course if we are to properly reform social care in this country then it will cost money, but how can it possibly be right that the Conservatives are forcing those families or individuals on lower incomes to pay the most for it?

“What’s even more infuriating is that these plans will do nothing to increase social care capacity or quality and do not address the almighty staffing crisis that the sector is facing.”