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The payment of long-term care in Scotland is different not better, according to Age Concern Scotland.

Douglas McLellan, a policy adviser from the charity, said: "The English perspective is clouded by the term 'free personal care', but this does not cover hotel costs. The legislation that allows a local authority to order an older person to sell their house applies just as much in Scotland as it does in England. The long-term fund is not adequate in terms of the aspirations of politicians and the recipients of care. The funding of long-term care is different not better.

"There are more older people in England so the bill is higher, but more older people die in winter in Scotland. English local authorities are not funded adequately enough for the level of population."

In May the Scottish government announced an additional £40m a year of funding for free personal and nursing care across Scotland from next year.

Mr McLellan said when free personal nursing care policy was first implemented some local authorities did not receive enough money or used the money for other services.

He explained: "The review conducted by Lord Sutherland said that nursing care was under-funded. The Scottish Assembly said if there are any failures in the delivery it could point directly to local authorities. This policy has wholly devolved to local authorities and if they say they cannot deliver, it shows they are perhaps not spending their money correctly."

Upper threshold limits, above this amount clients have to pay for care. Source:Grace Consulting

Chris Cain, managing director of Grace Consulting, a care consultancy that works alongside IFA partners, said there were misconceptions about the amount that is being paid for by the state.

He said: "There is a general feeling that people in Scotland have their care paid, but there is a higher allowance available. If you want to move your standard up you have to pay more. The Scottish Assembly is finding it difficult to sustain as more people get old and need care. I am not sure if the rest of the UK could follow this model because of the expense. There is an allowance towards care costs, but does not mean there hotel costs are covered, which pay for staying in a care home."