Social care is almost at the top of the political agenda, according to a BBC report released today. Although ninety-five per cent of councils in England have a good or excellent rating, this has been achieved by providing services to fewer people. This has led to an intervention of millions of private social carers, like those helping their own friends and family.

Estimates reveal that almost 6 million people are caring for people they know, including dressing them, and helping them wash and eat, with 1.5 million of these providing more than 20 hours of care a week. Many of these carers have other jobs as well in order to afford to live, which is why the government has now realised it needs to make social care a priority.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown recently announced a new policy to give those most in need free care, following suit of Scotland. Meanwhile, the Tories have focused on care homes, promising a one off £8,000 payment which they say will guarantee that no-one will have to sell their homes to go into residential care.

The quality of social care in England was also scrutinised in eight councils, for being 'adequate'. They have been urged to make improvements a top priority, a spokesperson from the CQC said it is not making an apology for "taking a measured approach in our planning to delivering the Government's agenda to radically change how adult social care is delivered".