The scale of Labour’s betrayal of pensioners was laid bare tonight as it emerged that every year at least 3,000 elderly people are forced to sell their homes to pay for residential care.

The scandal of Britain’s crumbling care system has reached such proportions that a third of all those paying the cost of their care end up without their house.

Critics say it is appalling that, after more than a decade of Labour promises, a record number of people who have saved all their lives are still having to put their houses up for sale, while those who have squandered their money get free care.

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb, who uncovered the figures, said: ‘This Government’s treatment of older people is its shameful legacy.

‘Ministers have turned their backs on thousands of older people who are forced to sell their homes each year to pay for the costs of care.

‘We need a complete overhaul of the current unfair system so that people’s homes are no longer considered fair game to cover care bills.

‘Whoever wins the next election cannot avoid the fact that we’re facing a crisis in funding for care. What we need is a long-term solution where the state pays its fair share and individuals are encouraged to save for later life.’

As part of its Dignity for the Elderly campaign, the Daily Mail has been highlighting the scandal of hard-working elderly people being forced to sell their homes to pay for care despite having paid taxes all their lives.

Present rules state that those with assets of  more than £23,500 – including their property – must contribute to the cost of residential care if they need it in their later years. It means thousands have to sell up.

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