‘An entire generation of older people in England has lost out’

from other countries is that a package of measures that significantly improves the care offer to older people attracts a lot more public support than something more timid – the public isn’t stupid and will demand good value in return for paying more.”

The new report compared the funding of care for the elderly in advanced nations such as England, France, Germany and Japan.

It found that creating a sustainable social care system fit for a rapidly ageing population is a challenge in every one of these countries, which none has completely overcome.

However, most of them had “grasped the nettle” and implemented significant reforms during the last 25 years.

Over the same period, it said, despite two Government consultations, two official Commissions, five Green or White Papers and one Act of Parliament, England’s system of meanstested care funding is broadly unchanged.

It was also noted that England has a much stricter means test than other countries examined in the report.

Ms Abrahams added: “Our Government needs to take note and develop some exciting proposals that will really make a difference.

“Bringing our care system up to a decent standard and making it sustainable won’t happen overnight.

“As citizens we will all need to contribute to the cost in different ways,