In a letter to Caring Business Mike Padgham, chair of the United Kingdom Homecare Association said that now the date of the general election had been confirmed the body wants to see the care of older and vulnerable people in this country’s society take centre stage.

He added: ‘For too long social care has been chronically under-funded. We call upon each party to set out how they will end the postcode lottery of care and the balance of responsibility between the individual and the state.’

When aspiring MPs come looking for support we need to question them hard to ensure they realise that the funding debate cannot be delayed, said Mr Padgham.