CUMBRIA'S social care system is "breaking at the seams," and in a "shambolic mess", according to the area's MPs.

The harsh comments come just a day after older people's charity Independent Age revealed nine out of 10 Members of Parliament do not believe the social care system is fit for purpose.

Their study of 101 English MPs also found just 13 per cent of Labour MPs and 35 per cent of Conservative MPs believe that social care services in their constituencies are fit for purpose

John Woodcock, Labour MP for Barrow and Furness said: "Social care is at breaking point and people are suffering right now.

"The demands on the system from an ageing population are so great and it's vital we do something about it."

Mr Woodcock also said he believed the system was "breaking at the seams" due to government cuts and called the situation "insidious".

MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale and former leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron. took a similar stance on the issue.

He said: "It’s no secret that the social care system in this country is in a shambolic mess.

"Down to this government’s frankly pathetic handling of our care services, we are now in the terrifying situation where four in five hospitals are now no longer safe enough for patients to use because of needless cuts.

"On top of that we are seeing longer waits for operations, slower ambulance response times and patients delayed in hospital for days and weeks on end because the social care they need isn’t available."

Mr Farron said he also thinks the social care system will "collapse" without the funding it needs.

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said the area's growing ageing population was taken "very seriously" and the council was working hard to implement new measures.

An overhaul of the way care is provided, as well as investment in new homes in Barrow, Carlisle and Copeland is already under way.

The spokesman said: "We recognise that these challenges will not go away overnight, but there is a clear plan across health and social care and a shared commitment to getting it right for our residents."

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