Prime Minister Andy Burnham is preparing to unveil his strategy for reforming England's adult social care system this week, but has already encountered strong resistance from opposition parties regarding funding. Both the Conservative Party and Reform UK have publicly stated their intent to oppose any proposals that involve tax increases to finance the much-needed overhaul.
Burnham, who spent his first week in office addressing cost of living issues, has signalled that tackling 'big and difficult issues' like social care is a key priority. He has pledged to use 'whatever political capital I have' to fix the 'crumbling' system, warning that without rapid action, the National Health Service (NHS) could effectively collapse under the strain. This comes as the NHS continues to face significant challenges, with official UK health data consistently highlighting pressures on hospital beds and discharge delays often linked to a lack of available social care.
The Prime Minister is expected to give a speech on social care on Wednesday, with further policy announcements throughout the week covering youth employment, defence, and local government funding. While the specifics of his social care plan remain under wraps, Burnham has previously spoken about the case for a 'care levy'. This echoes a proposal he floated as Health Secretary before the 2010 general election, which involved funding social care through a levy on inheritance and was widely criticised as a 'death tax' by the Conservatives at the time.
Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, has indicated a willingness to collaborate on social care reform but has set clear red lines. In an open letter to Burnham, she asserted that any solution must be fair to those who have saved throughout their lives and must be funded by reducing current spending, explicitly ruling out tax rises or increased borrowing. Similarly, Robert Jenrick, Reform UK's Treasury spokesperson, has labelled any tax-based funding mechanism as a 'radical tax grab', challenging Burnham to hold an election on the issue and advocating for 'meaningful efficiency savings' instead.
Despite holding a significant working majority of 166 in the House of Commons, meaning he does not strictly require opposition votes to pass legislation, securing cross-party support is often seen as vital for the longevity and public acceptance of major reforms, particularly those with long-term financial implications. The Liberal Democrats, led by Ed Davey, have expressed hope that Burnham will produce plans they can support, suggesting a potential avenue for broader consensus if the proposals align with their principles. However, the unified opposition from the two largest opposition parties on the funding mechanism presents an immediate hurdle for the new Prime Minister.
A review led by veteran Whitehall fixer Louise Casey is currently examining options for social care reform. Originally slated to report in 2028, Burnham is reportedly asking Casey to accelerate her work and produce a final report sooner, indicating a desire for swift action on this critical issue.