The Department of Health finally admitted it "unintentionally" discriminated against potential employees of a new social care group.

But the concession has failed to stem mounting opposition to the controversial clause in the Care Standards Bill which intensified this week after a leading disability charity said the amended bill was impractical and still discriminates against disabled employees.

The controversy stems from a clause outlining the criteria for registering workers on the forthcoming General Social Care Council for England and Care Council for Wales.

The original formulation said that the registration should only be granted to social care workers in "good health both physically and mentally".

But critics – including British Association of Social Workers director Ian Johnston - claim the wording breached the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. The 1995 Act requires employers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people.

The new clause – introduced by the government during report stage earlier this year – rules that applicants for registration with the councils "should be physically and mentally fit to perform whole or part of the work of persons registered".