There is a growing demand for care but not enough staff and the number of people with unmet needs is increasing, it added. Recruiting and retaining staff is increasingly difficult, but the department does not have a current workforce strategy, the authors said.

The report looked at Age UK analysis which estimated 12 million people over the age of 65 had some level of unmet care needs in 2016/17. There is also a higher than national average vacancy rate and a growing staff turnover rate. The NAO said workers feel undervalued and there is little opportunity for career progression.

To read more about the report findings please visit the SKY News website.