Reports of Tory rift branded ‘tittle tattle’ amid social care cap uncertainty

The Tories are “not sure” what the cap on social care costs will be but reports of a bust-up within Theresa May’s inner circle over the policy are “tittle tattle”, senior ministers said.

The Prime Minister has seen Tory poll ratings suffer following the social care reforms laid out in the manifesto, swiftly dubbed a “dementia tax” by critics, and the subsequent U-turn over the imposition of a cap.

The Sunday Times reported the Conservative campaign would be relaunched this week after being pushed off course by the manifesto U-turn and the pause in electioneering following the Manchester Arena bombing.

The newspaper claimed Mrs May’s joint chiefs of staff Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy were at loggerheads over the original social care plan, which would have seen people facing uncapped costs until they were down to their last £100,000 of assets, including the value of their home.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon dismissed reports the Tories were in disarray over the controversial social care plans as “Westminster tittle tattle”.

He told ITV’s Peston On Sunday: “No, this is Theresa May leading our party.

“We’ve put into the policy now some additional reassurance because of the scaremongering of Labour after the manifesto was published, further reassurance that people will not lose their home, they will not lose all of their savings.

“But yes, some people will be asked to make a contribution to raising the quality of social care.”

Home Secretary Amber Rudd told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “The Prime Minister has said yes, there will be a cap … But we are not sure where the cap will be.

“What we are saying is we will have a green paper to make sure that we set it at the right level and we consider all the other alternatives.”

The Sunday Times reported Ms Hill and Tory campaign strategist Sir Lynton Crosby, opposed the manifesto plan on care, which was overseen by Mr Timothy.