MPs have said that government social care reforms will fail unless it measures the true cost of inaction.

Isabel Lawicka, director of policy and strategy, NHS Providers – who gave evidence to the Health and Social Care Committee - said:

"The social care can cannot be kicked down the road any longer.

"The MPs' hard-hitting report lays bare the cost of successive governments dodging difficult decisions on social care reform. They highlight the impact of this on people receiving care, those providing it and the impact on wider health and care services. The cost and consequences of inaction are plain to see.

"We gave evidence to the committee highlighting the consequences for the NHS including thousands of people every day stuck in hospital beds, fit to be discharged but can’t be.

"Sustainable, well-funded social care is vital and should be a key priority for the government to help people to keep well and independent at or close to home.

"We need meaningful action to support social care and we hope that the independent Casey Commission will get to grips with the deep-rooted challenges faced by the sector."