The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has announced plans to double the amount of inspections it carries out on adult care service providers.

In fact, CQC's chief executive, Cynthia Bower, wants to increase the amount of inspectors it has on its books to ensure everyone in social work jobs is inspected at least once a year.

It is thought that the body hopes to employ an additional 150 inspectors, taking its total to 1,000 in order to meet these ambitious targets.

Service users, providers and those in social care jobs have all spoken out in favour of additional inspections being carried out by the CQC. However, it appears that these plans may be subject to a 10 per cent increase in funding from the department of health.

Speaking to Community Care about its bid for more funding, Bower claimed that the department of health was sympathetic to their cause.

She said: "They will expect us to make a case. What people want, particularly people who use services, is for us to put our boots on the ground.

"Inspections are a really positive quality assurance for providers."

The news comes after Labour MP Rosie Cooper had criticised the low amount of inspectors employed by the CQC at the House of Commons earlier this month, according to bhfederation.org.uk.