Ed Miliband has offered David Cameron the chance of “once in a generation” cross-party talks to reform care of the elderly.

The Labour leader has written to the PM and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg to warn that the problem must not be “put into the long grass”.

Referring to an independent review by economist Andrew Dilnot, Mr Miliband writes: “My offer is simple. I’ll put aside Lab­our’s pre-election proposals in good faith to try and find a solution. The last thing Britain needs is for Andrew Dilnot’s proposals to be put into the long grass. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity which our generation must address.”

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But last night there were fears that Mr Cameron will still duck a plan that would cap at £35,000 what the elderly pay towards their care.

Mr Dilnot will ­reveal tomorrow the results of his review into the soaring cost of old-age care in England.

He will say the care bill should be limited to between £35,000 and £50,000 – ­preferably the lower figure.

The move is aimed at ­helping more than 20,000 people a year who have to sell their homes to meet the cost of paying for residential care. But the Prime Minister is expected to dodge the problem after a warning from the Treasury that the shake-up would cost an extra £2billion a year and anger better-off voters.

A Cabinet source said: “We’ll ­welcome the report. But the PM needs this like a hole in the head. He will kick the issue into the long grass.”

Mr Dilnot’s report will also outline plans to extend free care for the poorest. He said: “The idea is to put a cap on that so if you do have very high care needs the state pays once you get beyond a certain level.”

At present anyone with more than £23,250 in assets – ­including their home – must meet the full cost of care.