Poll: Should the elderly receive free TV licences?

Winter fuel payments should also only be given to those most in need and the rich and middle-aged should be taxed more, experts have said.

However, the proposals, by a commission brought together by leading think tank The King's Fund, has caused outrage local pensioners groups.

The commission was tasked with looking for innovative ways to help shape and fund health and social care after The King's Fund identified "huge pressures" facing the care system at a time of growing demand and constrained resources. It also suggests that fewer people should be eligible for free prescriptions and that health and social care funding in England should be brought together under one ring-fenced budget divided out by a single commissioner.

However Pat O'Dowd, chair of the Wolverhampton Pensioners Convention, called taking away TV licenses and possibly winter fuel payments a 'steal tax'.

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"The NHS is supposed to be free for everybody," she said. "They shouldn't be taking things off pensioners, they've worked for it and paid for it.

"They're only getting back what they've worked for. It's a stealth tax - if we had a decent state pension of £200 then people wouldn't mind, but most people can't afford this.

"I certainly wouldn't back these suggestions, I'm against them taking anything off pensioners.

Andrea Stanton is secretary of the Walsall Pensioners Convention.

She said: "Pensioners have paid in for things all their lives.

"We've worked hard and paid our taxes so in our later years we are entitled to reap some of the benefits.

"Whilst I appreciate there's a shortfall in funding in the NHS, cutting free television licenses isn't the way to go about it."

When someone reaches the age of 40, their National Insurance contributions should increase by one percentage point to contribute towards health and social care funding, the report also found. And people who earn more should also be forced to pay increased contributions.

In total, the recommended measures would generate around £5 billion, they estimated.

Professor Chris Ham, chief executive of The King's Fund, said: "The proposals as set out by the commission may not appeal to politicians, fearful of commitments of greater public expenditure, but these issues cannot simply be ignored.

A Government spokeswoman added: "We agree that health and social care services should be more joined up - our £3.8 billion Better Care Fund is making this a reality for the first time ever, bringing NHS and social care teams together to help people live independently for as long as possible.

"We are also transforming the way people pay for the care they need, capping the amount they have to pay and providing more financial help.