They have asked for improved conditions to be his “personal mission”, and to host a summit in the hope of galvanising support across the government.

A white paper, setting out new social care reforms, was due to be released over Easter but has now been pushed back to the summer. The paper will include new details on how care is going to be funded in the future.

Many behind the scenes though are suggesting that this question could be left until after the next election in 2015.

However, in the open letter published today by the Daily Mail, care charities and the Local Government Association highlight concerns many have that any potential reforms won’t go far enough, and leave many disabled and elderly living in fear of the future.

The letter says, "Social care is in crisis - the system is chronically under-funded and in urgent need of reform. Without this, too many older and disabled people will be left in desperate circumstances: struggling on alone, living in misery and fear.

"We want disabled and older people and their families to be able to live without fear of what tomorrow might bring."

It adds that “delay or half-measures” won’t be tolerated, and urges the Prime Minister to make social care reform his “legacy to future generations”.