The Lib Dems have pledged to make free personal care available at home for older or disabled people if they win the election.

Leader Sir Ed Davey said the proposal would help ease the pressure on the NHS and help people to stay in their own homes.

The policy's cost is estimated at £2.7bn, which the Lib Dems said would be funded by reversing tax cuts on big banks.

Announcing the policy, Sir Ed said: ‘Far too often, family carers are being left to pick up the pieces because the care system simply isn't there for them.

‘We cannot fix the crisis facing the NHS without fixing the crisis facing social care.'

Senior policy officer at The Health Foundation charity, Lucinda Allen, said: ‘While free personal care would not protect people with the highest care needs against catastrophic care costs, it offers basic support for everyone with the cost of some care services.

‘Free personal care, if adequately funded and delivered, would be a huge improvement on the current threadbare safety net for people with care needs and their families.'