David Blunkett: We all have to help the elderly

David Blunkett says radical solutions are needed for tackling the soaring costs of health and social care for an ageing population.

The former Labour minister said: “We need an imaginative, joined-up, holistic answer that mobilises and supports families with caring, that gets the community involved.” He said young and old were “part of the solution”, adding: “This is about society as a whole rather than a financial cost. It’s essential because the money won’t be available to do it in any other way.”

The BBC’s Inside Out programme looks at a scheme in the Isle of Wight where neighbours can “win” care credits for later life by helping local elderly people. An accompanying programme, Inside Out London, found wide gaps in care for the elderly. In 26 out of 32 councils, the elderly have to pay for all their care if they have savings over £23,000 but in Tower Hamlets residents have all care funded by the council.

Inside Out is on BBC1 at 7.30pm.