Liz Kendall MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Care and Older People, responding to the Government’s announcement on dementia, said:

“Dementia is one of the greatest challenges we face as a country. The Prime Minister is right to focus on it and Labour supports the Government’s commitments on research, and to ensure everyone with dementia is properly diagnosed.

"But if his words are to have real meaning, David Cameron must do far more to help people struggling to cope with dementia right now.

"£2.7 billion has been cut from council care budgets under this Government, hitting the quality of life of hundred of thousands of people with dementia and their families. This isn’t good for them, and is a false economy as an increasing number of elderly people with dementia are ending up in hospitals or care homes when they don’t need to.

"The Prime Minister cannot credibly claim to show leadership on dementia unless he tackles poor care standards, like the increasing number of 15 minute home visits which are barely enough time to make a cup of tea, let alone help a frail elderly person with dementia get up, washed, dressed and fed.”