Ashford Conservative candidate Damian Green has ruled out any U-turn on plans for reforms to adult social care that have left the party being accused of imposing a “dementia tax.”

The party’s campaign has been dominated in the last few days by the issue of its plans for a shake-up which include cutting winter fuel allowance and ending the triple lock on pensions.

In an appearance on the BBC Marr show, Mr Green was repeatedly pressed on the impact of the reforms and asked to account for how an average pensioner in his own constituency could end up paying twice as much for care than it would under the party’s previous policy.

The Work and Pensions Secretary said: "We have set out the policy, which we are not going to look at again."

The Tory manifesto says elderly people requiring care in their own homes would have to meet the cost - but would be allowed to keep £100,000.

But a Tory think tank says it could be the "biggest stealth tax in history".

Asked if the party might look again at the policy, Mr Green said: "No. What we said in the manifesto - to put that 'no' in context - is that we have set out this policy, which we are not going to look at again; there will be a green paper covering both social care and health coming out in the summer.”

"We all know that the long-term solution to the social care crisis is better integration of the NHS and social care... this is the first step along that road."

The proposals would mean that tens of thousands of people who receive care at home could face costly bills.

This is because for the first time, the value of a person’s home will be included in their assets, with only the last £100,000 protected.

Families would be able to defer payment until death, when the home could be sold to settle outstanding payments.

Mr Green also brushed off speculation that he could be promoted to the job of Chancellor if the Conservatives win the election. "Philip Hammond is doing a great job," he said.