The shadow health secretary, Andy Burnham, has urged the government to produce a clear timetable for changing the system of social care funding in England.
Ministers will publish a progress report next week which will back the principles of last year's Dilnot Report - which recommended a cap on the amount any individual would have to pay in care costs.
But no decision on the details of the level of any cap, how it will be paid for or when it will be implemented are expected until late next year at the earliest. Speaking to presenter John Humphrys on the Today programme, Mr Burnham said: "The cap is fairly meaningless without a plan to deliver it and a clear timetable."
In response, the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said he "hopes" that the legislation required for any change can be put to Parliament before the next General Election.
Mr Lansley rejected a Labour assertion that the government has abandoned cross-party talks. He said: "We have been in discussions and they have been helpful." He added that he hoped to meet Mr Burnham before announcing his progress report to Parliament on Wednesday.
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