Bury North MP James Daly says "increased support" for older people from the government is welcome after data from the new Census showed how the borough's population is ageing.

Office of National Statistics statistics have revealed in Bury there has been a rise of nearly 20 per cent rise of people aged 65 and over in the last decade, compared to just a one per cent increase in 15 to 64-year-olds and a 5.2 per cent increase in children under 15.

As the population gets older, there is likely to be a greated need for better health and social care in the future.

Conservation MP Mr Daly said: “We celebrate the wide demographic in our area, but it is welcome that increased support is there for our older residents including an extra £5.4bn will be invested in adult social care over the next three years.

“This includes £150m to drive greater adoption of technology across adult social care, £500m for the adult social care workforce and £70m to support the delivery of care and support services.

“I would also take this opportunity to urge individuals of pension age to take up Pension Credit, as new figures show an estimated £1.7bn in benefit is being left unclaimed so you may be if you’re due a payment that can be as much as £3,300 a year.”

On Tuesday, Bury South MP Christian Wakeford, who represents Labour, aired his frustration towards the governments lack of action towards the social care system in the UK.

He said: “It has been clear for some time that we have an ageing population and an inadequate social care system which is creaking at the seams.

“Three years ago last week, Boris Johnson became Prime Minister and stood on the steps of Downing Street declaring that he would 'fix the crisis in social care once and for all with a clear plan we have prepared'.

“Three years on we are still waiting for that pre-prepared plan.

"Let’s hope it is more prepared than his lukewarm 'oven-ready' Brexit deal.”