UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he will put forward plans for a taxpayer-funded national social care service in England at the next general election, with higher taxes among the options being considered to finance the system.
Burnham said he wants social care to operate on principles similar to the NHS, with people contributing collectively and receiving care free at the point of use. He said the current system places significant financial pressure on families, with some people using their savings or selling their homes to meet care costs.
The prime minister acknowledged that introducing the proposed system could require difficult and potentially unpopular decisions. Asked whether a levy on estates could be considered, he said nothing was currently off the table, while stressing that he was not simply reviving an earlier proposal.
Burnham said existing Labour commitments not to increase income tax, VAT or national insurance during the current parliament make immediate implementation difficult. He therefore intends to develop a detailed plan and present it to voters at the next election, expected by 2029.
The proposal comes as the government faces continuing pressure to address the long-running funding problems in England’s social care system.
Leave a comment