GOVERNMENT cuts to social care services in England have left thousands of vulnerable people without the vital help they need, new data revealed yesterday.

The Health and Social Care Information Centre exposed that over 20 per cent of social care users polled lacked any or enough human contact.

Charities laid the blame squarely at the government’s door, warning that its new Care Act had left half a million more people worse off.

“The government could hardly have chosen a worse time to introduce the new Care Act,” said Independent Age charity chief executive Janet Morrison.

The new piece of legislation significantly reduces the number eligible for social care services.

The HSCI survey also showed how basic needs such a feeding and cleanliness are being severely affected by the lack of available support to elderly people.

Of the 70,000 people questioned barely two-thirds felt they were receiving enough food and drink.

Ms Morrison called the situation a “tragedy.”