Ministers are facing further pressure over plans to provide free personal care for the most vulnerable elderly people in England.

More than 70 councillors who lead social care provision across England have written to the Times describing the plan as ill-conceived.

Gordon Brown made the pledge a key part of his election strategy.

But local authorities say finding an extra £250m from their budgets will mean cuts in other services.

The vast majority of councils represented on the list of signatories are Conservative or Liberal Democrat.

But there are a handful of Labour authorities too, although the Times says several of them contacted the paper ahead of publication asking to be removed from the list.

The letter says that councils fully support providing additional help to those with the greatest care needs, but says that the legislation has "major weaknesses" and risks putting strain on a system already under considerable financial pressure.

The councils also say they have "major doubts" over how the scheme would be funded and suggest many vulnerable people will have their expectations raised that they may benefit "when the reality may be significantly different".

Ministers believe the pledge could help 400,000 people to stay in their own homes each year.

Motion defeated

Phil Hope, the care services minister, said it was extremely disappointing that local authorities supported the principle, but were quibbling and complaining about making it happen.

Council chiefs have previously stated that the government has "significantly underestimated" the cost of delivering free social care.

A poll of 61 directors of social services has suggested providing care to those most in need costs £200 a week, which is double the government’s estimate.

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) said it backed the idea, planned for implementation in England, but wants a rethink on the funding.

And an attempt to delay a bid to provide the free personal care at home for people in England has failed after the House of Lords voted against a motion tabled by former health minister Lord Warner.

He had argued that the government’s proposal was "unaffordable" and proper consultation had not taken place.

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