The Conservative manifesto could lump residents of Hertfordshire with £284,381 social care bill

Conservative manifesto plans will mean the average household in Hertfordshire could be forced to pay £284,381 (74%) of the value of their homes for social care after they die, it has been revealed.

The manifesto plans, which would mean that people would be forced to hand over assets worth over £100,000 to pay for social care at home, would have a particularly damaging impact on sufferers of dementia, who have complicated long-term health needs.

The Liberal Democrats have hit out at the plans and are calling for a cap of £72,000 to protect people from crippling care costs.

Mark Argent, Liberal Democrat candidate for Hertford and Stortford said:

"The Conservative Manifesto shows us that the nasty party is back. Theresa May is betraying the frail and elderly by snatching back their homes when they die.

"Many elderly people currently face the cruel situation of having to sell their home when they die to fund residential care home costs. Now the frail and elderly receiving care in their own home will face a 'Personal Death Tax' charged against their home. And the more help you need, the more Theresa May will snatch away when you die.

"It's clear that if the Conservatives get their way, as you get old and frail the costs are down to you and you alone.

"The Liberal Democrats will stand up to Theresa May's cold, mean-spirited Britain, protecting those that need the most help and fighting for a cap on social care costs of £75,000 to protect people in their old age."

Under Conservative proposals, for the first time, many people who receive care at home will have their home taken into account, to meet the costs when they die. This will apply to the almost half a million people who receive domiciliary care in the UK. Figures on the share of the average family home expected to be spent on social care costs by area can be found here, based on calculations provided by Royal London.

The Liberal Democrats in coalition secured a commitment to introduce a cap on care costs from 2016. However this was first delayed by the Conservative government and has now been scrapped. The Liberal Democrats have committed in their manifesto to implementing the recommendations of the Dilnot Commission, which would mean a cap on care costs of £72,000.