A "postcode lottery" is characterising the hit and miss approach of much residential care in he UK according to a leading group of MPs.

The Commons health select committee claims that in some areas the elderly are having to pay for their care while elsewhere support is provided – with location the only distinguishing factor.

Thus in some authorities NHS nurses will be provided free of charge to help care, while in others families are asked to foot the bill themselves.

The MPs are now urging the government to reform the system, advocating the merger of the residential care network with the NHS.

According to the committee such a move could potentially slash millions from the annual costs of the enterprise.

With the population of the UK becoming increasingly old, the issue of long-term residential care is set to become a key topic in the future.