Councils in England are starting to pay by the minute for care that the elderly receive in their own homes.

Critics say it is not the best way to look after the frail and vulnerable, and will deter people from becoming paid carers when recruitment is a big problem and morale is low.

The disclosure, on BBC Radio 4's You and Yours, comes after the Local Government Association warned that council tax bills will rise by four per cent and basic services such as help with washing will be cut.

Harrow Council in north-west London has introduced a pay-per-minute system rather than paying for care in blocks of 10 minutes.

"It's not about cutting the service, it's about commissioning the time required," a spokesman said.

Another 35 councils will bring in electronic monitoring by March.

Dame Denise Platt, head of the Commission for Social Care Inspection, said: "If people receiving care and those giving it are watching the minute hand on their watch, that really is not a good supportive experience."

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