Nearly 16,000 hours of social care commissioned by councils were not delivered in one week last year, according to a new investigation.

A freedom of information request by ITV News revealed that 88% of councils did not deliver all the social care expected between 5 to 9 December 2016.

In this week, 15,858 hours of care were not provided, with staff shortages, sickness and delays being the main reasons for the shortfall in care. Other councils also reported occasions when the care receiver refused care or was away from home.

The investigation revealed that four local authorities were responsible for 1,000 hours of commissioned social care that was not delivered.

This week, a report has warned one in eight older people are failing to get the care they need. Councils are also predicting an overspend of nearly £450m on adult social care by the end of this financial year.