The Government's overhaul of the long term care sector has been delayed at least 18 months, according to papers seen by the Financial Times.
It says no bill is to be included in the Queen's speech on 9 May but ministers will be given drafting authority for legislation for the next session, thus moving any new law to the end of 2013.
The paper said the treasury was unhappy with the estimated £1.7bn annual cost implied by the Dilnot Commission report last year.
The government will still publish a white paper on the subject in June but it is now thought to focus on how to improve services, rather than the promised "sustainable legal and financial framework for adult social care".
A separate paper will discuss the current state of the cross party funding debate.
Commenting: "Jim Boyd, director of corporate affairs at Partnership, said: "I can sypathise with the Government. This helps all parties out of a hole as I believe the cross party talks have foundered.
"The delay infers that they feel the issue warrants further activity. It isd better to get the right solution than to have to deal with the consequences of a knee jerk reaction."
