Brown promises a decent wage for family carers

Loved ones would effectively be employed in preference to care staff, with some possibly receiving tens of thousands a year.

The move would give those being cared for more control over who helps them bathe, dress, cook and attends to other needs.

The plans, which are at an early stage, are expected to be formally unveiled by Gordon Brown later this year as part of a package of measures to support carers.

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The scheme would not apply to childage carers, because ministers fear youngsters would be discouraged from taking up educational opportunities if they received a wage for spending time at home.

Health Minister Ivan Lewis said last night: "At the moment, the assumption is that people will be cared for by staff from an agency.

"Why can't the elderly choose to spend that money on a family member, if that is what they want?

"This is a way that the state can really strengthen the notion of family. When you are talking about intimate or sensitive care, for example those with dementia, people may prefer that from a relative."

On the country's legion of child-age carers, he said: "Our aim is that, over time, no young person should be expected to provide full-time care for a sick or disabled parent.

"They should be in education and training, pursuing the same opportunities available to other young people."

Currently, around 1.7million people are eligible for financial help with personal and social care. Ministers believe this could quadruple by 2050 because of increasing life expectancy for the disabled.

The cost to local authorities for each person who needs care ranges from under £100 a week for those requiring a few hours of help, to £100,000 a year for full time care.

At present, care paid for by local authorities is provided by professionals, although people who spend more than 38 hours a week looking after a sick or elderly relative may be eligible for a carer allowance of £48 a week.

Under the new plans, the person being cared for could choose to spend the money to which they are entitled on a relative - who would receive the market rate for their services - rather than professional help.

The Daily Mail has consistently highlighted the plight of both carers and those they look after through its Dignity for the Elderly campaign.

Soon after becoming Prime Minister, Mr Brown announced an examination of the needs of those who care for the elderly and disabled.

Versions of the family payments scheme have already proved successful abroad, for example in the U.S. and Scandinavia.

But critics warn that unscrupulous families could short-change vulnerable relatives by taking pay for care they do not provide.

Last year, a nationwide survey revealed that hundreds of thousands of pensioners were being abused in their homes by their own children, care workers or friends.