Nearly 100,000 people are facing debt collectors over unpaid social care charges, an investigation has revealed.
A freedom of information request by GMB found at least 130,000 people are trapped in social care debt. This equates to one in three of all people who pay for their social care.
More than 93,000 people are facing debt management proceedings as a result of their debt, with more than 1,700 facing legal action.
Rachel Harrison, GMB national officer, said: ‘Almost 100,000 people facing debt collectors over unpaid charges, almost 2,000 facing legal action - this is an increasingly desperate state of affairs
‘Meanwhile care companies are going to the wall, councils are starved of cash and our under-staffed, underpaid and overworked members do their best against the rising tide of need.
‘The way we fund our care system needs a radical overhaul - at the same time we need support, progression and pay structures to inspire new carers and retain outstanding staff.’
The union warned the true figure could be higher as some councils did not respond to the freedom of information request.
