ACTOR Tony Robinson says the Government still needs to do more to safeguard the future of care for the elderly despite the publication of a report into the subject.

The former Blackadder star spoke exclusively to the Guardian, just over a month after the airing of his hard-hitting Channel 4 documentary Me and My Mum.

The documentary saw Mr Robinson speaking to many people who were caring for elderly people both at home and in care homes, while also focusing on his own mother's situation in Harts House care home in Woodford Green.

He said in the programme that the way older people were treated in this country should be a big concern.

He did not put the blame for the situation on nursing homes but more on the fact that care for the elderly was simply not a subject people talked about.

He said: "It seems that in 100 years' time we will look back on the way we treat the elderly now in the same way that you and I look back on how kids were treated in the factories in the 19th century."

Two weeks ago health and social care watchdogs were asked to put older people's dignity at the centre of their investigations by Care Services Minister Liam Byrne.

The announcement is part of a 10-year plan to improve services for older people.

Mr Byrne said doctors, nurses and watchdogs would be asked to "make dignity in care a priority".

Speaking to the Guardian last week, Mr Robsinson said: "The response from the general public has been fantastic.

"I think the programme went out at the perfect time because it coincided with the report.

"It shows that the Government is acknowledging that there is a problem but more needs to be done.

"The carers allowance is £45 at the moment. That is ridiculous. What can you do with £45 a week?

"When I was a kid people didn't think about the natural environment; we would burn down bushes for a laugh.

"Within my own lifetime that has changed and various governments have concentrated on environmental issues. We need the same sea change with care homes and carers."

cstong@london.newsquest.co.uk.