Social care - how the system works

There are 10 million over-65s in the United Kingdom - 1.5 million of those are over 85 - and the figures are expected to rise in the coming years. Research suggests about three-quarters of elderly people will develop a social care need, which can include anything from help getting up in the morning to round-the-clock support in a residential home. The numbers of younger, disabled adults are predicted to rise too, as medical advances mean many people with disabilities are living longer.

Social care in England is rationed, depending on how much care a person needs and how much money they have. Individuals are first assessed on care needs. There are four basic levels or bands of care offered - low, moderate, substantial and critical - but levels vary between councils. The bands cover daily tasks such as washing, dressing and eating.

Many councils can no longer afford to give care to people in the low and moderate bands - they will only fund people needing high levels of care.

In 2005/6 60 councils funded people with low and moderate needs, now only 28 councils will fund people in these categories, meaning fewer people receiving care.

The second test is a means or financial assessment. People needing help at home have to pay for their own care if they have savings of more than £23,250. When a person needs full-time residential care, the value of their home may also be taken into account.

The various payment thresholds have barely changed over the years. Critics argue there should be a cap on payments.

English councils are having to care for growing numbers of elderly and disabled people with a shrinking pot of money. In recent years the amount councils spend has failed to keep pace with inflation, and the number receiving care has decreased. In fact, the data shows the number of elderly being cared for has fallen by a fifth since 2005 and the number of younger disabled adults receiving care has also dropped slightly.

The assessment process means many more people end up having to pay for their own care or go without. With demands growing and funding being squeezed, councils are warning that maintaining current standards is going to get tougher in coming years.