Hundreds of people living in Dorset are in arrears with their social care payments, new figures show.

Figures released by the GMB trade union have revealed that 351 people living in the Dorset County Council area were struggling with their social care payments and consequently had debt management action taken against them.

Collectively, across the South West, more than 4,000 people in the South West were trapped in debt for their social care while almost 50 people were taken to court by local councils for building up significant social care debts.

Meanwhile, across the UK, 166,835 people were are in arrears, with more than 78,000 having debt management procedures started against them by their local authority for non-payment of social care charges.

Social care is increasingly important in the UK due to an ageing population and covers a range of services such as help at home, care homes or home adaptations, none of which are free.

People pay depending on their level of need and number of assets they own, and will be assessed by local authorities to judge how much financial support is provided.

Sharon Wilde, GMB National Officer, said: “These stark figures show the UK’s social care ticking timebomb has now blown a gaping hole in families’ finances.

“The fact almost 4,000 are in debt because they’re unable to pay for their own care – or that of their loved ones – shows the system just isn’t working."

Sharon added: "The GMB sees the issue as part of the problem with social care and the way it is funded.

"Our ageing population is creating a huge demand for care staff - but caring is still not seen as a sought-after career.

“We need a clear, coherent strategy for funding social care now and in the future.

"Otherwise the struggle to recruit and retain carers will become even more acute, while tens of thousands of people are plunged into debt trying to pay for the level of support that they need."

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, added: "Unfortunately, older people are increasingly finding themselves at the centre of a perfect storm of cuts to social care and it is absolutely horrible to think that people who need care are potentially going into debt to pay for it.

"We are  already dangerously over-reliant in this country on families, friends and neighbours to help older people stay safe and well at home and as state funded care withers and completely fails to keep pace with the demands of an ageing population, for many this is the only option."