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In what one family branded "a robbery of taxpayers' money" and Labour said was "scandalous", about £480m is estimated to have been spent on "inadequate" care homes - many rated unsafe and in special measures, meaning they are threatened with closure.
They are often staffed by untrained agency workers ignoring residents' needs and failing to deliver proper nutrition and medicines in dirty and dangerous properties.
Billions more in public cash has been spent on homes rated "requires improvement", many operated by chains delivering large returns for overseas shareholders and creditors.
In all, councils have spent an estimated £7.5bn to put people in poor-quality care homes since 2019, a Guardian analysis of tens of thousands of public contracts and inspection records reveals.
The findings expose "a broken care system", said Sarah McClinton, president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, whose members commission council-funded care.
The Relatives & Residents Association (RRA) said state payments to the worst homes were "propping up substandard care" and "failing the taxpayer".
In 2022, one pound in every five spent by English local authorities buying residential elderly care is estimated to have been paid for a home in the poorest categories.
In the east Midlands that rose to almost a third of all public money spent last year - more than £200m. The findings will pile pressure on the government to deliver wholesale reform to "fix social care" as promised when Boris Johnson became prime minister. The 2019 Conservative manifesto promised to "urgently" seek cross-party consensus to legislate for long-term reform, but Rishi Sunak's government in October postponed an overhaul of charging until 2025.
Denne historien er fra March 24, 2023-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra March 24, 2023-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Dupont to the fore as France hand out 11-try thrashing
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Deeply offensive' Outcry at plan for history theme park over links to the far right
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Livingstone must finally make mark on global stage
England need more from their all-rounder, who has failed to deliver across five major ICC tournaments
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Met Office warns of danger to life from flooding in parts of the UK
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Missing Out There's so much South Asian talent out there, so why are clubs still ignoring it?
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'We've put Aughton on the map': Village with five Michelin stars is latest draw for global gourmets
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West Bank Tanks Sent to Jenin as Israel Intensifies Operations
Israel has sent tanks to the West Bank city of Jenin, the first move of its kind in the area in over two decades, as troops intensify operations that officials say will last at least a year.
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We recognise frustration of booing fans, says Freeman
Tommy Freeman has admitted that England understand supporters' frustrations amid a chorus of boos during the scrappy win against Scotland, but he believes Steve Borthwick's team are still alive in the Six Nations title race after back-to-back wins.
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