Prime Minister Andy Burnham has warned that the failure to fix England’s “broken” social care system will eventually lead to the collapse of the NHS. Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Mr Burnham pledged to establish a universal National Care Service, free at the point of use, which will form a central part of the party’s manifesto for the next general election.
The Prime Minister described the current social care system as comparable to “American healthcare,” noting that many of the most vulnerable citizens risk losing their homes and life savings to fund their final years of life. He argued that the interdependency of the two services means the health service cannot function effectively while social care remains in crisis.
The policy announcement follows a personal tragedy for the Prime Minister, who cited the death of his father, Roy, from Alzheimer’s disease two weeks ago as a significant motivation for the reform. Mr Burnham stated that the experience had reinforced his resolve to “rip the plaster off” and address care funding once and for all.
Funding and the 2029 Timeline
Despite the high-stakes warning, the Prime Minister ruled out implementing the new service during the current parliament. Instead, the proposal will be a headline pledge for the next general election, currently expected in 2029.
While specific details of the funding mechanism are still being reviewed, Mr Burnham indicated that the model would be based on the principle that “everyone contributes.” This suggests potential tax rises or a new levy to ensure the service is free at the point of delivery. According to reporting by City AM, the Prime Minister is prepared to increase taxes to fund the initiative, though he has not confirmed if this will mirror the “estate levy” he proposed as Health Secretary in 2010.
To prepare for the transition, a commission led by Baroness Louise Casey has been accelerated. The Casey Review, which will provide recommendations on how the service should be structured and funded, is now expected to report its findings by Summer 2027, a year earlier than originally planned.
Critics have previously questioned the delay in implementing such reforms, but the Prime Minister maintained that a “fundamental settlement” is required rather than a temporary fix. He told reporters that the next election would offer the public a “clear choice” on the future of the British welfare state.
