The plan is part of a dedicated chapter on social care in the Lib Dems manifesto, which also includes a Carer's Minimum Wage set £2 above the minimum wage to tackle the shortage of care workers and creating a Royal College of Care Workers comparable to the Royal Colleges of nursing and midwives. 

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said: ‘As a carer for my disabled son, and after caring for my ill mother when I was young, care is deeply personal for me. That is why I am putting fixing the care crisis at the heart of the Liberal Democrat offer to the country at this election.

‘Far too often, family carers are being left to pick up the pieces because the care system simply isn't there for them. Millions of people are going without the care they need, while thousands are stuck in hospital beds instead of being cared for in their own home or a care home.

‘We cannot fix the crisis facing the NHS without fixing the crisis facing social care. The Liberal Democrats would bring in free personal care to help people live independently and with dignity, in their own homes wherever possible.'

The latest figures show an average of 12,772 hospital beds in England per day in April were occupied by people ready to be discharged.

An estimated 1.6 million elderly people in England have unmet care needs, with many stranded in hospital beds due to the lack of space in care homes or resources to provide follow-up care in their own homes.

The Lib Dems plan, which they said would be paid for by reversing tax cuts given to big banks by the Conservatives, includes personal care covers nursing care, help with mobility, hygiene and medication, whether people are in their own home or a care home. Those needing residential care would still have to contribute towards their accommodation.