Parliament's public spending watchdog has called on ministers to make services more accessible for older people.

In its latest report released on Thursday, the Commons public accounts committee found that pensioners are still missing out on their entitlements because of a lack of information.

While welcoming the moves that have been made on the issue by departments in recent years, the cross-party committee of MPs said much larger steps must be made with Britain’s population set to get significantly older.

It warned that the 10.5 million people over state pension age at the moment will rise to 16 million, or 25 per cent of the population, by 2040.

With 40 per cent of NHS expenditure on health and social care spent on those over 65, the MPs concluded that it is vital money is not wasted on services that do not reach their intended target.

The committee reported that many benefit and other government forms have been made easier to understand but that all should follow suit soon.

Word of mouth marketing should also be encouraged, with research showing most older people receive information this way.

Awareness

The MPs suggested that people over 75 should be made aware of all their entitlements at the same time as their annual health check up.

And the report warned that any drive to deliver services though voluntary organisations should ensure that accessibility is not lost.

PAC chairman Edward Leigh said that the Cabinet committee on older people should ensure progress is kept up.

"Older people are a key group of consumers for public services of all kinds," he said.

"I welcome the initiatives for older people launched by the government over recent years. But much more could be done to provide the standard of service that older people need and deserve.

"Services should be designed with the needs of older people in mind and must be clearly explained. There should be better co-operation between different organisations.

"It is sensible for government to draw on the expertise and experience of voluntary bodies, and make the most of their existing contact with older people. But this must not become an unsustainable burden."