England in social care crisis

England is in a social care crisis, with spending on care for older adults falling by half a billion pounds since the coalition came to power.

This is the opinion of Age UK, which said in its Care in Crisis 2012 report that in order to achieve the same levels of service experienced in 2010, the government must spend £7.8 billion a year.

Thus far, councils have budgeted £7.3 billion for older adult care, as a result of central government spending cuts.

Age UK research has shown that the growing demand for services, and a £341 million reduction in older people's social care budgets this year has created a £500 million shortfall.

Since 2004, the number of people over the age of 85 needing care and support has increased by over 250,000.

Michelle Mitchell, charity director of Age UK, stated that the government must take urgent action or "the gap will simply get worse".

The charity has received the support of the Alzheimer's Society, which commented: "It is completely unacceptable that spending is falling in this vital area.

"This is another slap in the face for people with dementia, who are already some of the hardest hit financially."

Find the nearest Barchester care home.