Over 40 councils were found to have taken legal action against people who had incurred home care debt, research has found.

According to a BBC North West investigation, over 2,000 people across the country have been met with legal action from their local authorities due to the cost of home care visits having resulted in them falling into debt.

A Freedom of Information (FoI) request revealed that 45 of the 58 respondent councils had pursued legal action, following 2,163 cases of people encountering debt for home care visits since 2023, with research highlighting that the costs of home care have risen significantly for some disabled people.

The investigation found that one of the local authorities with the greatest financial strain relating to home care spending is Oldham Council, with a 51% increase having taken place over the last three years. Furthermore, its spending is predicted to reach roughly £51m this year, with clients’ income totaling of just over £8m.

The research also revealed that Cheshire West and Chester Council had taken the most court proceedings out (110 cases), followed by Blackpool Council (83 cases).

However, the local authorities reportedly emphasised that legal action is a ‘last resort’.

The Local Government Association (LGA), said: ‘The adult social care system remains in desperate need of sustainable funding and reform.’

It added: ‘Councils, as commissioners of social care, work closely with providers to ensure the best possible provision of services for local people, but until the sector is adequately funded, the consequences of a lack of resources and a system that is under strain will remain.’

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: ‘Our thoughts go out to people impacted by the cost of care. Local authorities have a duty to support people with their care needs, should only charge people as much as they can afford - and must leave people with enough money pay for daily essentials and any disability-related costs.’