The Treasury is expected to set the Department of Health a target to promote the independence and dignity of older people when it publishes the next set of public service agreements next month.

Older people's tsar Ian Philp is believed to be pushing for the new target, which would be a significant departure from the normal focus on more measurable goals, such as reduced waiting lists.

Association of Directors of Social Services president Andrew Cozens said he "very strongly hoped" there was something in the DoH's PSA that related directly to the social care sector.