A LOCAL politician is urging the Government to tackle a ‘crisis’ in social care.

The plea by Kamran Hussain, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Leeds North West, follows what he described as ‘tragic’ new findings by Age UK.

The research shows that more than 50,000 older people have died while waiting for a social care package in the 700 days since the government first said it would publish its social care green paper*.

Mr Hussain said: “These figures are tragic. People are turning for help in their old age and help is not there. Despite the crisis in adult social care the Conservatives are consistently underfunding these services and the social care green paper, promised in March, 2017, has now been delayed six times.

“The Conservatives, too busy dealing with the Brexit crisis, have neglected the NHS and people deserve better.

“The Liberal Democrats would put a penny on income tax and directly invest funds into social care. We will also keep making the case for a new, dedicated NHS and care tax to guarantee a modern, effective and efficient NHS and care system which will be there for our loved ones when they need it.”

*The green paper is expected to included proposals which the Government says would ‘ensure that the care and support system is sustainable in the long term’.