Disabled and elderly campaigners have lodged a legal case at the High Court against increased Kingston Council care charges.

In February, about 600 people, including blind people and HIV sufferers, were hit by the decision to hike prices for carers to help them wash, dress, and use the bathroom.

Kingston Council said it needed to increase charges because of Government cuts, and to bring home-care charges in line with residential care, but said it would protect people on low incomes. Opponents claim the council did not do enough to promote equality for disabled people and older women when it opted to raise prices.

A test case involving an unnamed New Malden woman was lodged for judicial review on May 6. If it is successful, the council could be forced to reverse its decisions.

Campaigner Jane Young, who uses a wheelchair and relies on care, said: “We worked hard to explain how people would be affected, but the council ignored the evidence and information we presented.

“I am delighted we are able to challenge the decision in the courts. It sends a message to elected representatives that they ignore residents’ views at their peril.”

Solicitors for the campaigners wrote to the council saying: “In a case where the decision may affect large numbers of vulnerable people, the due regard [to the aims of equality legislation] that is necessary is very high.’

Kingston Council’s director of health and adult services David Smith, who is also chief executive of NHS Kingston, said: "The council is aware of the proposed action and will take legal advice."

Campaigners including Baroness Campbell of Surbiton, took to the streets collecting more than 1,000 signatures against the price rises.

The plans included removing the cap on weekly home care charges, charging some people 100 per cent of their disposable income, and making people with savings above £23,250 pay the full cost of their care.

But Baroness Campbell has said the plans could prevent people owning houses or getting married.