AN alliance of charities said ‘chronic underfunding’ has left the care system in crisis.

The warning comes after nine in 10 English councils, including Lancashrie County Council (LCC) and Blackburn with Darwen Council (BwD), have withdrawn social care to people whose needs are ranked ‘low to moderate’.

Richard Hawkes, chairman of the Care and Support Alliance which represents 75 charities, said: “Population changes mean more and more people need care, yet fewer and fewer people get it, as chronic underfunding has seen a year-on-year rationing of support.

“Every day, our 75 organisations hear horror stories of older and disabled people who struggle to get the support they need to simply get up, get dressed and get out of the house.

“This is also putting unbearable pressure on family carers.

“Our survey shows the public has lost confidence in the current system.

“It shows care, along with health, is where the public want the Government to invest more.”

LCC withdrew social care for adults with low to moderate needs three years ago, while BwD made the change in 2007.

The Department of Health insisted it had invested in social care, adding: “We have given an extra £1.1bn to councils to help protect social care services this year – that’s on top of additional funding in recent years.

“Councils are ultimately responsible for deciding how to spend their budgets but with a growing ageing population we know that we all need to work differently.”