THERE can be few people who are not aware the country faces a massive social care problem. The ticking timebomb of an ageing population.

More and more resources will be needed to cope with a huge growth in the number of elderly people living longer and longer. All of which makes the existing shortcomings in the care system (in part highlighted by today’s front page) more than worrying.

With long term financial constraints on local councils to factor in, the lack of a convincing strategy from any party over the biggest social issue coming down the tracks, is of even more concern.