CHANGES to the Conservatives controversial plans for social care have caused a bitter clash on the Ilford North campaign trail.

As part of their manifesto launch last week (May 18) the Tories wanted to include the value of people’s homes in the amount required before they start paying for social care at home.

The Government currently takes house value into account when calculating how much of their care home bills they have to pay, charging pensioners down to their last £23,500.

But claiming the UK’s ageing population was costing the Government too much for in-house social care, Theresa May planned to apply the same rules for care at home too.

The Prime Minister’s critics were outraged, branding proposals a “dementia” tax that would see homeowners in need of residential care rack up huge bills.

But after the backlash Mrs May has today U-turned, claiming there will be an “absolute limit” on what people have to pay for at-home social care and people will not be left with less than £100,000’s worth of their assets.

Ilford North’s Labour incumbent Wes Streeting slammed the change of heart as a “complete shambles”, which has left pensioners afraid of what the future holds.

He said: “Theresa May is now asking pensioners to write her a blank cheque on the promise that she'll let them know the bill after the election.

“The Tories now owe it to pensioners and their families to publish a detailed and fully-costed plan for social care, so that they know what they're voting for.

“As postal votes land through letterboxes across the country today, it is clear that the Tory plan for social care isn't strong and stable, it is weak and wobbly."

But his Conservative rival Lee Scott hit back saying the claims were “Labour up to their usual scaremongering tricks”.

He added: “Theresa May has made clear that there will be an absolute cap on the amount that people pay for their social care funding under our manifesto proposals.

“For the first time people will also have the peace of mind that the first £100,000 of their savings will be protected from future care costs.”

He said that the decision was proof the Conservatives listen to people and had not marred their promises of a “strong and stable” Government.