GOVERNMENT failure to develop a plan for Britain’s struggling care sector following the Covid-19 pandemic was condemned as a “total disgrace” today.

An independent report found financial assistance for care homes was withdrawn too soon during the pandemic.

Headed by Warwick University, the study also said that as taxpayers provided £2.1 billion in subsidies for care homes during the pandemic, 122 big care companies increased dividend payments to shareholders.

The report, Bailed Out and Burned Out?, highlighted that the care system had been propped up by staff working extra hours without pay during lockdown.

It said that while public money helped prevent widespread financial collapse, most payments ended in 2022 and not all the money reached the front lines.

The study, co-written by Warwick, University College London and the Centre for Health and Public Interest, has been published as the government considers reforms to adult social care.

It concluded: “The decision by government to end financial support for care home companies after the peak of the pandemic had passed has likely contributed to the current financial and operational difficulties experienced by the sector.”

Unison head of social care Gavin Edwards said: “The heroism and endurance of care workers saw care homes through the pandemic. 

“It’s a shame the government let the entire sector down so badly. 

“Care staff didn’t get sick pay when they were at home isolating. Their wages stagnated and many lost work when care home occupancy levels dropped. 

“This is why there must be urgent change. 

“There must be a national care service, one that’s fully funded, integrated with the NHS and pays staff a decent wage. 

“Ministers’ lack of a vision or a plan for care is a total disgrace.”