A report by charity Age UK has revealed that spending on social care for the elderly has been cut by around £600m this year. The research was based on 139 council responses under the Freedom of Information Act, and has uncovered an 8.4% cut to elderly care budgets. The charity also found that 61 councils intend to increase charges for services like home help and day care centres.

Charity director at Age UK, Michelle Mitchell, said: "Funding for social care is already inadequate and the system today is failing many older people at the time when they really need help. We are fearful that even more vulnerable older people will be left to struggle alone and in some cases lives will be put at risk. We anticipate these cuts will condemn many more older people to a miserable existence behind closed doors struggling to keep safe and well." The government disputes the charity's figures.

Source: Age UK