FEES for care home resident paid by Local Authorities in Wiltshire is lower than the average for the South West, despite an increase of 12 per cent last year. Care England, a group working on behalf of private car home providers say that councils are failing to care for older people because there is not enough cash to pay for residential care services.

Martin Green, Care England, said: “These councils pay care homes just £350 a week for 24hr care, seven days a week. You just cannot run a care home and give the optimum amount of care on a pittance. "

10 councils across the south west are increasing fees, with Swindon set to increase the amount paid by two per cent.