IT was with a very heavy heart that I witnessed the sad demise of our dedicated Home Care Service into the profit driven hands of private enterprise. Our Tory administration claims that the staff had been working at only at 45 per cent efficiency. If that is so, then surely the blame is wholly theirs for not managing the service more efficiently.

Furthermore the four private companies that the Tories favour to take over this vitally important and skilled work, say that they can deliver the same quality of service for a measly £15 per hour. However the Starfish report on home care states that “no homecare service can be delivered with quality, or meet standards, for less than £25 per hour”. So where are the corners going to be cut? The only ones to suffer in this are the voiceless disabled, sick, mentally ill, and elderly, who use the service. Furthermore I ask that if these private companies can provide the same quantity and quality of service for £15, and make a healthy profit as well, why couldn't Swindon Borough Council do the same?

Finally we must not forget that Swindon Borough Council Home Carers are more qualified, trained and experienced than any other private homecare provider. This was highlighted by the fact that SBC's Homecare service was rated an excellent service with outstanding features by the Care Quality Commission.

So what happened, and why was the service allowed to be so badly run? I think the people of Swindon have a right to know.

COUN JENNY MILLIN (Labour Councillor for Moredon)