There is little doubt the provision of care to people in their homes is in crisis.

What does seem to be open to debate at the moment is just how bad the situation has got, with claims – denied by the councillor responsible for social care – that on some occasions, carers are restricted to 15-minute slots for visits.

If that is even close to the truth, it is intolerable. It is impossible to give vulnerable people the dignified care they need in their homes in such a short period of time.

Bradford Council is in a very difficult situation, with spending cuts eating in to services, but a certain level has got to be maintained.

The T&A launched its With Respect... campaign to protect the dignity of our ageing population, and it is they, along with vulnerable adults of all ages, who are being hardest hit by slashed care budgets.

It is difficult to see how the ‘public inquiry’ Coun Jeanette Sunderland is calling for will help though.

What is needed is for an absolute safe level of funding for social care – based on an absolute minimum standard of care – to be agreed by all parties, and for that level to be maintained at all costs.

That may mean hard choices have to be made elsewhere within the Council; but it may also mean the Government has to provide extra cash ring-fenced for care. Both sides have a shared responsibility in this.

Politics has to be put aside; we have to find a way of caring for the most vulnerable members of our society and affording them the respect, dignity and care they deserve.

Otherwise, how can we truly call ourselves a caring society?