AS the starting pistol for the General Election has now been fired we want to see the care of older and vulnerable people in this country’s society take centre stage.

For too long social care has been chronically under-funded.

We call upon each party to set out how they will end the postcode lottery of care and the balance of responsibility between the individual and the state.

As the demand for social care will increase year-on-year, this is a critical opportunity and we must be sure to set realistic expectations.

When aspiring MPs come looking for support we need to question them closely to ensure they realise that the funding debate cannot be delayed.

A new Government needs to sort this out over the next 12 months.

Mike Padgham, UK Homecare Association, Scarborough