Abuse in England's home care system

Very low standards of home care often fail to meet older people's basic human rights, a report out today has revealed.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission's inquiry into England's home care system warns that hundreds of thousands of people lack protection under the Human Rights Act.

It criticises care workers for focusing on completing a rigid list of tasks rather than concentrating on what older people actually want.

The report's findings are shocking. One woman was left stuck on the toilet in her bathroom, as the care worker claimed to be too busy to help her. Others were victims of physical and financial abuse, treated as if they were invisible and not supported in their eating and drinking.

Ministers have pledged to tackle the issue, but opponents of the government's cuts are warning the coalition's broader austerity agenda will only have a negative impact on the situation.

Saga: Cuts will only make home care standards worse

EHRC: Home care services must respect basic human rights

Labour: Coalition is out of touch on home care

DoH: Government won't tolerate poor care