Burnham: Social Care Reforms to Be Paid by New Taxes
Burnham says a taxpayer-funded national care service could cost up to £18.5 billion a year and would be put to voters at the next election.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced plans for an NHS-style social care system in England, promising to present reforms to the public at the next general election. He indicated tax rises are necessary to fund the overhaul.
- Burnham denounced the current system as 'unfair as American healthcare, where the most vulnerable in society can lose everything,' warning it will 'in the end, break the National Health Service.' He blamed the 'cowardice' of past politicians for failing to reform.
- 'We have dementia taxes right now and people can lose everything they've worked for paying those taxes,' Burnham said. He noted people spend tens of thousands from savings, determined to 'grasp the nettle' of reform.
- Burnham will set out the 'broad direction' of his plans at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool on Tuesday. While the Health Foundation estimates costs up to £18.5 billion, Burnham argues the system would generate NHS savings.
- Constrained by Labour Party manifesto promises, Burnham said 'nothing is off the table' for funding, including potential estate levies. He is committed to cross-party talks with Baroness Louise Casey before the next election, expected in 2029.
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Andy Burnham Vows To Offer Free Social Care System At Next General Election
Andy BurnhamAndy Burnham has promised to set up free social care in England if Labour wins the next general election.However, the prime minister said it cannot be developed without consensus, and so he would put the plan to the public at the next general election.Burnham said that meant he would, for now, be sticking to Keir Starmer’s manifesto which secured a landslide victory for Labour in July 2024.He said: “We stick to the manifesto because …
Burnham: Social care reforms to be paid by new taxes
Andy Burnham has said proposed social care reforms would be funded by new taxes after a General Election, claiming he wanted to create a new system where “everyone contributes”. The Prime Minister said a plan for a national care service would be presented at the next election, which may only come in 2029. Baroness Louise [...]
PM appears to be anticipating criticism of reforms that he will set out on Tuesday at the Labour Party conference
The Independent
The Independent (US)Burnham to put plan for free national care service to public at next general election
The prime minister said he would ‘grasp the nettle’ of social care reform in England
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