MPS are to launch an inquiry into the cost of a lack of action on social care reform.

The health & social care committee has announced that it will look at how much inaction is costing the NHS and local authorities and the knock-on effect on patients and the public.

It will also consider what contribution the sector makes to the economy and how any cost of inaction is felt.

The panel of MPs will also look at the extent to which the costs of inaction are considered by the government when evaluating policies, including within the Budget and spending reviews.

Committee chairwoman Layla Moran said: “Our social care system is in crisis.

“Over the years there have been many reviews and proposals, but successive governments have failed to tackle the problems because they think reforms cost too much.

“But this ongoing inaction has a cost. No-one is talking about the costs we are all accepting by not reforming the system.”