Barbara Keeley MP, Labour’s Shadow Older People, Social Care and Carers’ Minister, commenting on the Health and Social Care Information Centre’s figures on staff reductions in social care, said:

“David Cameron talks about a compassionate society, but his Government is overseeing damaging cuts to social care services – and it is care workers and older people who are paying the price.

"The deep cuts to social care under this Government are one of the main reasons why the NHS is under so much pressure. 300,000 fewer older people are now getting the crucial help they need than when David Cameron came to power. This means more older people ending up in A&E and getting stuck in hospital because they can’t be safely discharged.

"We cannot allow this neglect of social care to go on any longer. Ministers need to take urgent action to repair the damage they’ve done.”