The number of older people with unmet care needs stands at one and a half million, a charity has said.

A new study by Age UK has shown that one in seven over-65s are struggling without the help they need to carry out essential everyday tasks such as getting out of bed, going to the toilet, washing and getting dressed.

Charity director at Age UK, Caroline Abrahams, said: ‘It is shameful that one a half million older people are living with some degree of unmet need for care, equivalent to one in seven of our entire older population.

‘For the last few years these figures have been getting worse as governments dither over how to overhaul a system of care that everyone agrees is no longer fit for purpose.

‘Some older people are fortunate and receive good care from committed staff which makes a huge difference to their lives, but far too many are going without the support they need to live decently and with dignity.'

The Health Foundation and King's Fund have estimated that to return the social care sector to the quality levels observed in 2009/10, the Government would need to invest £8bn.