Q&A: Social care

Thousands of frail and vulnerable people rely on care services organised by councils

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced government plans for wide-ranging social care reforms in England in a statement to the Commons on Monday.

But what is the situation in England at present and why is reform necessary?

How does the social care system work currently?

Have councils been making it harder to get help?

What are ministers planning on doing?

Those with assets worth less than £123,000 will be means-tested for support. The average value of homes - most people's largest asset - shows that those below the qualifying threshold live mainly in the Midlands and north of England.

Who came up with the idea?

What happens elsewhere?