The Liberal Democrats said there had been a ‘deafening silence' on social care and called for cross-party talks, while Care England said urgent action was required to fill the sector's £10bn funding gap.

Liberal Democrat health and social care spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: ‘The Government must urgently start cross-party talks on social care before it is too late.

‘This must be a Budget to save the NHS from the brink of collapse, and that cannot happen without a proper plan to fix social care.'

Professor Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, said over £10bn was required to fill the gap between the average fee paid to providers and the cost of care, and to pay staff at a level commensurate with their role.

Care England called on the chancellor to establish a stable, inflation-linked funding model for a minimum of three years to provide security and sustainability for care providers and to recognise adult social care's high return on investment and capacity to drive growth in economically disadvantaged regions.

Professor Green said: ‘The evidence supporting investment in adult social has never been more compelling. Not only does it strengthen community health and reduce NHS pressures, but it is also a powerful economic driver where money is needed. This Budget is an opportunity for the Government to choose a path that supports both vulnerable individuals and local economies across the country.'