A key new report has called for a minimum level of free care for the elderly to be provided regardless of income, at three times the current level of investment.

Sir Derek Wanless's findings for the King's Fund think tank, published on Thursday following a year of deliberation, found that far too many pensioners are being forced to sell their homes in order to pay for care under the existing means-tested arrangements.

Instead Sir Derek, who reviewed NHS finances for the government in a landmark report, called for a universal level of free care to be offered alongside personal contributions for extra care to be matched by ministers.

Under the plan, those who cannot afford to make their own contributions could use benefits such as disability allowance to top up their own accounts.

Stakeholder Response: