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The UK needs a national strategy for dementia and significant investment from this year’s comprehensive spending review to cope with an explosion in the number of people with the condition, a report today claims.

The Alzheimer’s Society-commissioned Dementia UK report says over 680,000 people have dementia today, costing £17bn in formal and informal care, and by 2051 numbers will increase to over 1.7 million.

However, it says current services are inadequate as the condition has been historically neglected by government, councils and health commissioners, while information on provision and outcomes is poor and carers, who save the state £7 billion a year, are inadequately supported.

The report calls for a national strategy that will make dementia a priority, backed by money from the spending review, improved training and skills for people who work in dementia care, more support to keep people at home and increased provision for carers, including respite and access to psychological therapies.