Burnham Pledges Free Social Care Funded by New Taxes
Andy Burnham has set out a vision for a universal, NHS-style social care service in England, free at the point of use and funded by new taxes, as he warned the current system is as unfair as American healthcare.
Andy Burnham has pledged to create a universal, NHS-style social care service in England that would be free at the point of use for everybody, funded through new taxes. In his first Labour party conference as leader, the prime minister said the existing system is as unfair as American healthcare and warned it will break the National Health Service unless it is radically reformed.
Burnham said he would «rip the plaster off» to fix what he described as a broken social care system, confirming that he wants new taxes to pay for the reforms. He acknowledged that many families are already paying «huge» dementia costs and argued that the burden of care should be shared collectively rather than falling on individuals. The prime minister said the cost of a free-at-the-point-of-use adult social care system is «not that high», pushing back against estimates that it could require around £18 billion in additional annual funding.
Speaking on the eve of his conference speech, Burnham said he would set out the vision on Tuesday, with an official review by Louise Casey expected to provide the detail on how and when the reforms could be delivered. He did not give further specifics on how the radical long-term plan would be paid for, but he confirmed that «nothing is off the table» when it came to tax rises. The prime minister said he would put proposals for the NHS-style service into Labour's next general election manifesto.
The announcement marks a significant moment for Burnham, who is attending his first conference as leader. He said he was more determined than ever to fix the broken social care system following the death of his father, a personal experience that has shaped his approach to the issue. His vision is intended to leave «people able to have hope again», he said, framing the reforms as part of a broader effort to restore public confidence in the state's ability to provide essential care.
Burnham's comments come amid growing pressure on the government to address the crisis in adult social care, which has been widely criticised for leaving vulnerable people without adequate support and placing unsustainable strain on NHS services. The prime minister's plan would mirror the founding principles of the health service by making care available to all, regardless of ability to pay, and by funding it through general taxation. However, the proposal is likely to face scrutiny over its cost and the timeline for implementation, with critics expected to question whether the necessary funding can be secured without significant tax increases.
The Labour conference in Liverpool has become the stage for Burnham to set out his stall just hours after he said he was more determined than ever to tackle the issue. His speech on Tuesday is expected to provide further detail on the vision, while Louise Casey's review will help shape the practical steps needed to make it happen. For now, the prime minister has made clear that social care reform will be a central pillar of his leadership and of Labour's next election platform.
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