Speaking at the Health and Social Care Committee's inquiry on the cost of inaction on reform this morning, Dilnot said reform was a ‘matter of political courage and political decision making'.

Dilnot said the Government should be expected to say by the end of 2025, ‘actually, we know what needs to be done, this is what we're going to do', adding: ‘We understand the challenges, we understand what the options are.'

The former Government advisor published a report on funding and support for social care for the Government in July 2011 which suggested a cap on social care costs of £35,000 and increasing the means-tested threshold, above which people are liable for their full care costs, from £23,250 to £100,000.

Speaking to MPs today, Dilnot added: I think it's so blindingly – excuse my language – bleedin' obvious that something should be done here that, in the end, in an intelligent, affluent, civilised society, we get this done.'

Dilnot added he was ‘optimistic' that the current Government would eventually deliver reform with the support of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

‘I think Sir Keir's views will be absolutely critical in this and if the Prime Minister gets behind this then something, I think, will happen,' he said.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said Dilnot was ‘absolutely right that this review could be completed within one year'.

Davey added: ‘The social care crisis is forcing patients to be treated in hospital corridors while elderly people sell their homes to pay for care.'