New NHS-style social care system could take decades, Dilnot says

A new NHS-style social care system for England could take decades to be implemented, economist Sir Andrew Dilnot has told the BBC.

Sir Andrew, who led a commission proposing reform of the system 15 years ago, said Prime Minister Andy Burnham appeared to want social care to be completely free, including residential costs.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the cost of such a scheme would be "very substantial".

And with Burnham promising to put his plans before voters at the next general election, Sir Andrew said change "is now further away".

Adult social care provides state support to help people live more independently, including assistance at home.

However, unlike the NHS, social care is not free at the point of use in England, leaving some people facing huge bills.

In an interview with the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg , Burnham suggested his proposals for social care would mean "everyone contributes, everyone is covered" and refused to rule out tax rises to fund such a system.

He promised to set out more details of his vision in his conference speech on Tuesday.