Representing around 35 per cent of the population, Christchurch in Dorset has the highest proportion of elderly individuals of any local authority in England. The picture of tranquillity, this strong Conservative seat seems the ideal retirement spot. Ahead of the release of the social care green paper on Tuesday, the Financial Times spoke to Christchurch residents, who voiced their disapproval of government policy.

“I don’t think the government does enough”, Joan, 70, a former post office clerk said, addressing the government’s financing of social care. She disapproves of the ‘compulsory insurance for all’ scheme where individuals will pay around £20,000 ($33,000) either upon retirement or through their estate after death. “I don’t think anything should be taken from the estate”, she said. “I think it’s unfair that for some, the state will take the whole lot.”