WARRINGTON South's Liberal Democrat candidate has vowed to 'stand up' to Theresa May's 'mean-spirited vision for Britain' after she was criticised over Tory plans on social care.

Proposals to make people receiving care at home liable for the full costs if their assets are worth at least £100,000 have proved to be controversial since they were announced.

Following criticism, the Prime Minister confirmed proposed changes to social care funding in England would include an 'absolute limit' on the money people will have to pay, despite no mention of it in the party's manifesto.

Warrington South's Liberal Democrat candidate Cllr Bob Barr said: "David Mowat, as care minister, is at the centre of the row.

"When in coalition with the Tories we secured a cross-party commitment to introduce a cap on care costs based on the work of the independent Dilnot Commission.

"The Tory manifesto has now scrapped this cap completely.

"In contrast, the Liberal Democrats are committed to implementing it.

"We have a costed plan to provide social care paid for in the short-term by a penny on income tax.

"In the long-term, we will revise the National Insurance system, so the risk of needing care is fairly shared.

"We will stand up to Theresa May's mean-spirited vision for Britain, which shows she doesn't care.

"The Liberal Democrats immediately recognised that the care charging policy in the Tory manifesto was grossly unfair, which is why we dubbed it the 'dementia tax'.

"It is difficult to take Theresa May's chaotic U-turn seriously as all it offers is consultation on capping and sharing care costs, no promises.

"But now we know where the Conservatives natural instincts take them – it isn't in the direction of fairness or protecting the vulnerable and their families."

Warrington South's Tory candidate David Mowat has responded to the criticism.

He said: "Under the last Government 45,000 elderly people had to sell their homes to pay for care – under the Conservative proposal nobody will.

"Under the Liberal Democrat solution, care costs can take up every penny down to their last £23,000.

"Under the Conservative proposal everybody will have at least £100,000.

"Care is a serious subject and inaccurate scaremongering is disappointing."