The public should be pro-active in saving for the care they'll require when they reach old age, Wirral Online reported.

That's according to Paul Burstow, the minister for care services; who knows only too well how the rise in elderly people expected in Britain will affect the social care system.

As such, he advised Brits to invest now in their future, in order to avoid disappointment when the NHS cannot fully fund their old-age care. His suggestion may be interesting to those in social work jobs who have been pondering the future of Britain's social care system.

Burstow voiced his opinion in The Telegraph, arguing that although the next 20 years wouldn't be "a comfortable ride", Britons could help the NHS to help them by setting some money aside for their future.

It is his belief that by more of the public using their own money to fund their elderly care, the economy could benefit, and many unpaid carers throughout the UK could also benefit - by receiving more financial support.

His expert opinion was shared by Andrew Dilnot, the chair of the governments care funding commission, who confirmed that Brits are "going to have to pay more" from their own money.

However he did add that most people he had spoken to felt "happy to contribute" to the costs of their old-age care.