According to the data released by the Labour, there has been a significant increase in cost of council services for elderly and disabled people.

The data from 93 out of 153 councils in England has shown that the cost of meals on wheels has increased 13% over the last two years while that for transport rose by 33%.

The survey showed that there were huge differences across the region.

David Rogers, chairman of the Local Government Association’s community wellbeing board sad that the budget cuts by the government has left them with very difficult choices about the services they can provide.

“Councils are committed to doing the very best for people in later life. But councils are facing the long-term triple pressures of insufficient funding, growing demand and escalating costs and despite their best efforts, they are having to make tough decisions,” he said.

People living in Tower Hamlets pay nothing for personal care while those in Cheshire East are charged more than £20 per hour. Liz Kendall, Shadow Minister for Care and Older People described the huge increase in home care charges for older and disabled people as stealth tax.