CAMPAIGNERS called on political parties to address social care reform in their election manifestos today as crisis looms for Britain’s ageing population. 

The National Pensioners Convention (NPC) is advocating for the introduction of a national care service that runs alongside the NHS, which would be free at the point of need and funded by taxation.

In Britain, one in five people are currently over the age of 65.

According to the Centre for Ageing Better, this will increase to one in four within the next two decades.

Parties have so far pledged to “triple lock” protections on annual state pension rises.

NPC general secretary Jan Shortt said that although this was welcome, it wouldn’t be enough to “help the millions of older people who are going to increasingly require complex health and social care provision in future.”

Currently, only those with income and assets below £23,250 get help with care costs.

Reforms, including a £86,000 cap on the amount anyone has to spend on their personal care over their lifetime, were due to be implemented last October but have faced further delays.