The government should do more to develop a cross-departmental strategy for older people, the National Audit Office has said.

The spending watchdog said there should be better feedback mechanisms to inform older people about how services are improving.

And the report found that older people are major users of public services - but are frequently left out of the consultation loop.

Many find the divisions between service providers confusing, with those most in need often having to contact the largest number of agencies.

The NAO said that the government has developed a wide range of policy initiatives in recent years to address the needs of older people.

These include a cabinet committee on older people and the appointment of a "cabinet champion" for older people.

The watchdog found that the government "is developing a much better understanding of what older people believe, want or need".

"Through a range of innovative consultation methods, the government has better informed policy-making and obtains regular feedback from groups of older people on policy proposals," says the report.

NAO chief Sir John Bourn urged the government to consider how it would fulfil its commitments to repeat the "Listening to older people" programme.

He said ministers should report more on progress on matters relating to older people.

"The government has been successful in finding new ways of developing services for older people that are joined up and avoid duplication. But there is scope to build on this," saidSir John.

"Improved co-ordination across government on older people's issues could be addressed by the publication of an older people strategy.

"At the same time, government must ensure it continues to provide feedback to those it consults in order to maintain commitment and to avoid raising expectations that are later undermined."

Conservative spokesman Simon Burns welcomed the report and urged the government to "take careful note" of it's findings.

"All too often, older vulnerable people are marginalised when government departments consider the implementation of policy," he said.

"Furthermore, there is a distinct lack of co-ordination between government departments, agencies, charities and the voluntary sector when considering how government policies affect older people."

"The government must ensure that older people's views and concerns are articulated to every department."