An investigation by GMB, the union for carers, has revealed more than 4,000 people in the South West - nearly 500 in Cornwall - are trapped in debt for their social care.

The Freedom of Information requests, submitted to every authority in the region with responsibility for social care, also shows almost 50 people have been taken to court by local authorities for social care debts.

A total of 499 people in Cornwall have debt management procedures started against them by their authority for non-payment of social care charges.

GMB national officer Sharon Wilde said: ‘The fact almost 4,000 are in debt because they’re unable to pay for their own care – or that of their loved ones – shows the system just isn’t working.

‘We need a clear, coherent strategy for funding social care now and in the future.

‘Otherwise the struggle to recruit and retain carers will become even more acute, while tens of thousands of people are plunged into debt trying to pay for the level of support that they need.’