A BRADFORD care home has announced it is to close amid financial pressures. 

Bosses at Bierley Court Care Home said they had taken the "extremely difficult" decision to shut the setting due to "exorbitant" energy prices and high interest rates. 

They also criticised "years of Government underfunding in the sector".

An exact date for the home's closure has not yet been revealed - but it has been confirmed the process to close the setting was underway. 

The home, in Bierley Lane, Bierley, cares for up to 40 older people - including some who are living with dementia.

A spokesperson from Hansdale - which owns the home - told the Telegraph & Argus: "Due to the current economic climate, including the impact of exorbitant energy prices and high interest rates, we have had to take the extremely difficult decision to begin the closure of Bierley Court Care Home.

"This decision was not taken lightly, however the adult social care industry has unfortunately felt these economic changes more acutely after years and years of Government underfunding in the sector.

"We are working closely with our partners at Bradford Council and the Care Quality Commission to ensure the safe transfer of the residents to other care settings in the local area."

'Really worrying news'

Judith Cummins, Labour MP for Bradford South, described the announcement as "really worrying news for the residents and their loved ones".

She said: "I have been in contact with the council to seek reassurance from them on safeguarding and supporting residents through this unwanted upheaval.

"This is also a difficult time for the key workers at Bierley Court Care Home. I trust they will be supported to find new jobs elsewhere.

"The last 13 years of Conservative Government have been punishing for social care - and its promised reforms have been pushed beyond the horizon, again.

"Elderly and vulnerable people who are paying the price for these failures and broken promises."

In response to the concerns raised, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "The Government has now made available up to £8.1billion over this year and next to support adult social care and discharge.

"We are additionally investing up to £700million on a major transformation of the adult social care system, which includes improving care workers' skills and supporting career progression, investing in technology and digitisation, and adapting people's homes to allow them to live independently."