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Heartless Tories have scrapped social care funding for 12,415 blind or partially sighted pensioners, a report reveals.

It means those who rely on help with everyday tasks such as getting out of bed, cooking, cleaning, washing, dressing and eating could be left to their own devices.

A joint investigation by Age UK and the Royal National Institute of Blind People found poverty-stricken over-65s had been ­disproportionately affected by the loss of ­public services due to cuts.

Around half of all blind and partially sighted older people live alone.

Read more: Our forgotten army of carers need a boost if we want to help elderly and vulnerable people

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “That so many blind or partially sighted older people who need social care aren’t getting is profoundly shocking.

“Losing our sight is something many of us fear the most, and the idea of struggling alone without social care assistance in such circumstances seems appalling in a civilised society.”

The report - Later Life for People with Sight Loss - found that older people with sight loss had been disproportionately affected by the loss of community-based services due to funding cuts.

Care and support services have been slashed for all adults with a physical disability in recent years.

But older people - those aged over 65 - with sight loss have been especially badly affected, the report said.

Experts warn this has meant serious considerable consequences for the health and wellbeing of older blind and partially sighted people, and for their independence.

Compared with the general older population, those with sight loss are more likely to have multiple health conditions, live on a low income and live in poor quality housing.

(Image: Getty)

Fazilet Hadi, director of engagement at RNIB, said: “Social care support can be vital to blind and partially sighted people in later life, enabling them to live with dignity and choice.

“However, older people with sight loss are increasingly missing out on social care and vision rehabilitation services. Being left alone to cope with sight loss in later life is wholly unacceptable.

“No matter how tight government budgets are, this is essential support which must be provided.”

Ms Abrahams added: “I wish I could say that the Spending Review outcome means the position is set to improve next year, but unfortunately too little money will be coming into social care, too late.

“Even at this late stage we hope the Government will think again.”