A WYRE Forest parliamentary election hopeful says 91 per cent of district residents would be hit with ‘dementia tax’.

Liberal Democrat candidate Shazu Miah said research by the party revealed the extent of how many would be affected in the district.

He also claimed the Conservative Party’s social care plans would saddle those with long-term illnesses with crippling care costs after their death.

Mr Miah urged everyone, regardless of political affiliation to come together and campaign against the plans.

Instead, the Liberal Democrats are calling for a penny on income tax to boost funding for the NHS and social care by £6bn a year, as well as a £72,000 cap to protect people from crippling care costs.

Theresa May faced a barrage of criticism after announcing plans to include a person’s property, valued at £100,000 and above, in a means test on assessing payments for social care.

But a few days later, she announced there would be a limit on the amount someone would be charged for care costs – prompting accusations of her watering down her original plan.

Mr Miah said: "Caring for our elderly should be above party politics and that is why I want to urge anyone who opposes these plans to come together to stop them.

“Every elderly person who needs care should receive it in the best place for them. People shouldn't have to worry about losing everything they've worked hard for to pay for crippling care costs.

"Together we can stop the so-called ‘Dementia Tax’ and put in place a cap on the cost of care."