Social care for elderly is not fit for purpose, insist 90% of MPs

NINETY per cent of MPs do not believe elderly social care is fit for purpose, a survey shows.

The Government has pledged to increase spending by £2billion but a former minister has warned the system is “creaking at the seams”.

Janet Morrison, of charity Independent Age which carried out the study, said the crisis in social care was “at the front and centre” of the election.

She said: “Confidence that the social care system can deal with the UK’s ageing population has virtually evaporated among parliamentarians.

“It is clear that there is an overwhelming desire from politicians on all sides to work towards a cross-party consensus on a solution.”The survey was carried out among 101 English MPs. Only 13 per cent of Labour MPs say social care services are up to scratch in their constituencies, rising to 35 per cent among Conservative MPs.

Former Liberal Democrat health minister Norman Lamb added: “The health and care system in England is creaking at the seams. An unprecedented number of older people need support in later life.”

The Government’s care pledge is a one-off funding which reduces each year. Vital services still face an annual £2.3billion funding gap by 2020.

Izzi Seccombe, of the Local Government Association, said: “It’s encouraging to see so many MPs across all political parties recognising the need for action.”

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: “This Government is absolutely committed to improving social care in this country.”

Separate research conducted by The Centre for the Modern Family – a think-tank created by Scottish Widows – found that only 15 per cent of people are saving money on a monthly basis to pay for future care needs.

A quarter said they have “no idea” how they would cover care costs.

Another poll carried out by carehome.co.uk found that four in 10 of care home residents do not receive regular visits from friends and family.