WOULD-BE MPs in Worcester have criticised Theresa May after her dramatic social care u-turn - calling it "back of the fag packet stuff".

The Prime Minister has revealed how a 'cap' will apply on the total contributions pensioners pay for elderly care.

The Tories' policy will still offer protection for people with assets of £100,000 or less - a sharp increase on the current £23,250 threshold.

But the climbdown over a cap has sparked a fierce debate between the city's parliamentary candidates, who say Mrs May's manifesto offer for pensioners has gone down badly on the doorsteps.

Conservative Robin Walker has also revealed how he privately lobbied party colleagues ahead of Mrs May's u-turn, over the lack of an upper limit on care costs.

Rival hopefuls have called it "the first manifesto u-turn in history", with some calling for an increase in general taxation to pay for care.

Mr Walker said: "What we set out in the manifesto was an increase in the threshold, which for many people in Worcester will be the difference between losing a property or keeping it.

"When it comes to capping overall care costs, from day one after the manifesto was published I was writing to colleagues to argue why we do need a cap.

"Could it have been handled better? Of course, but Theresa May has listened."

He added: "It's crucial to have that cap - I've met people in Worcester who have lost the family home due to paying for residential care."

But Labour candidate Councillor Joy Squires said: "It really is back of the fag packet stuff.

"It seems ridiculous that in one breadth they're saying 'you pay for your care until you're down to your last £100,000', then they say 'we're putting the inheritance tax threshold to £1 million'.

"Theresa May will pay the price, a lot of people are very unhappy with what she's announced."

Lib Dem candidate Stephen Kearney said: "It is rushed and ill-thought out, and remember these policies won't just affect people in care homes, but people getting care in their own homes too.

"It's an attack on pensioners and the first u-turn on a manifesto in history."

Green hopeful Councillor Louis Stephen has also criticised the policy, saying general tax should be looked at more carefully to pay for elderly care.

Under Mrs May's reforms a person's home will be counted among their assets when they are means-tested for care in their own homes, not just residential care.

Nobody will have sell up during their lifetime - they will be able to borrow cash which will be paid back from their estate after death.