The charge came from the Liberal Democrats after health and social care secretary Wes Streeting said the delayed commencement of cross-party talks ‘was now a matter for the independent commission'.

Liberal Democrat health and social care spokesperson, Helen Morgan. said: ‘The Government has abdicated its responsibility for building a consensus on fixing our broken social care system.

‘Ministers are hiding behind a commission when they know that without support across Parliament any reforms will be doomed to fail.

‘Far too many have suffered for far too long, enduring a care system that is not fit for purpose. The Government failing to step up now and break this cycle would be a complete dereliction of duty.'

The commission on social care reform was launched by Baroness Casey on 2 May.

The Casey Commission is to be undertaken in two phases with the first phase focused on developing a national care service and a fair pay agreement reporting back in 2026 and the second phase addressing longer term reform concluding in 2028.

A Department of Health and Social Care Spokesperson said: ‘The Casey Commission is a once in a generation opportunity to transcend party politics and build consensus to create a fair and affordable adult social care system for all.

‘The commission is rightly independent to allow this to happen and Baroness Casey and her team are taking forward arranging discussions with political parties.'