Former health and social care secretary Matt Hancock has said pandemic planning to protect care homes were “terrible”.

Speaking to the Covid-19 Inquiry today, Hancock said the government had no idea whether care homes had the right plans in place.

The former health & social care secretary who infamously said a “protective ring” had been placed around care homes said the “flawed” nature of the social care sector had hampered its pandemic response.

Hancock said social care was “in nowhere near good-enough shape”, to weather the pandemic.

Addressing PPE shortages in the sector, the former minister said it was “extremely hard to get it out fast enough when the crisis hit”.

Social care providers received just 14% of PPE items between 20 March and 31 July 2020, according to the NAO.

National stockpiles were just 3% of required levels by April 2020 the NAO has found.

Hancock told bereaved families present at the hearing he was “profoundly sorry” for deaths during the pandemic.

Giving evidence yesterday, director of emergency preparedness and health protection at the DHSC, Emma Read, said preparing for the possibility of a no-deal Brexit was prioritised over pandemic planning in the run-up to Covid.

UNISON head of care Gavin Edwards said:  “The Conservatives had been in power for ten years when Covid struck. But a range of ministers systematically neglected social care, leaving it in a dreadful state at a critical time.

“Matt Hancock is living in a different world. His actions left the care sector exposed to the devastating impact of the pandemic. 

“He failed to make enough protective kit and testing available when staff and care home residents desperately needed it. His disregard for the most vulnerable cost thousands of lives. 

“The government repeatedly ignored calls to improve the availability of sick pay so care workers didn’t lose out when ill or isolating. Ministers’ failure to act meant many staff continued to work, with shocking consequences.  

“Nothing can right the many mistakes made by ministers three years ago. But social care can be improved drastically now so the sector is more resilient in future. 

“A properly funded national care service, delivered by local councils, using better trained and fairly paid staff, would ensure good quality care to all who need it.”