A new funding package giving elderly and vulnerable people support to help them live more independently in their own homes was announced by ministers today.

Housing minister Grant Shapps has pledged £51m towards Home Improvement Agencies and outlined proposals compelling councils to ensure suitable numbers of adaptable properties form part of their future local housing plans.

The agencies will provide housing advice and support on moving home, repair services, energy efficiency help and provisioning adaptations such as grab rails and stair lifts to be installed.

An additional £20m for the Disabled Facilities Grant - totalling £200m this year alone- has also been committed for those needing work on their homes alongside £1.5m towards housing and career advice service FirstStop.

Mr Shapps Said: ‘As we get older the last thing we want is for our properties to become our prisons.

‘That’s why today I’m offering a new deal for older people, backed with millions of pounds of Government cash, to ensure elderly residents get the support they need to live independently and comfortably in their own homes for as long as they can, with particular support for those leaving hospital.’

The move is also intended to safeguard work carried out through trustworthy channels for elderly people that do not lead to their exploitation at the hands of rogue dealers.

Urgent planning for the future of elderly peoples’ care based needs is being prioritised by Government, as an estimated one in five people are expected to exceed 65 by 2020.

The Commission on Funding of Care and Support chaired by Andrew Dilnot last summer called the current system of funding for adult social care ‘confusing, unfair and unsustainable’, and recommended a £35,000 cap on lifetime social care cost contributions and the extension of full state support after the cap.

Care services minister, Paul Burstow today confirmed the Government would reply to Dilnot’s findings by bringing forward a white paper and progress report on funding reform this spring.