In response to a National Audit Office (NAO) report on reforming adult social care in England, Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive of NHS Providers, said:

"The report highlights the persistent lack of attention being paid to adult social care when there is a huge number of people still waiting to be assessed for care.

"Adult social care needs to be an urgent priority for the government with meaningful reform and long-term, sustainable funding to address huge unmet need, quality of care, innovation and severe workforce shortages.

"The NHS works hand in glove with the overstretched social care sector. We want to see those working in social care properly rewarded for their valuable work which supports people to live independently at home and in the community.

"It is disappointing to see that government funding earmarked for adult social care reform has been underspent."