Prime Minister Andy Burnham has warned that the National Health Service (NHS) is in danger of collapsing if reforms to the social care system are not implemented. Speaking from his new 'No10 North' office, Burnham stated that the NHS is struggling under the weight of caring for individuals who could be supported by social care services. He emphasized that the service will not achieve its waiting time targets until social care is fixed.
However, when pressed on whether a new social care system would be established before the next General Election, Burnham declined to provide a specific timeline, saying he 'couldn't put a timeline on it right here, right now.' He pledged to invest 'whatever political capital I have into fixing it' and indicated he would not want to leave office without seeing a new system in place.
Burnham has long advocated for a new funding model for social care, including a proposal for a levy on all estates. He first suggested a 10 percent levy on the value of a person's property upon their death to fund social care when he served as health secretary over 16 years ago. This idea, once dubbed a 'death tax' by the Conservative party, was never implemented.
Unlike NHS care, social care is not free at the point of use in England and Northern Ireland. Individuals with assets or savings exceeding £23,250 are not eligible for state-funded care, often leading to people being forced to sell their homes to cover costs. Burnham suggested that a new levy could eliminate this necessity by taking a percentage of an estate's value, potentially affecting millions whose estates might not have previously been subject to inheritance tax.
The challenge of funding and reforming adult social care in England has been a persistent issue for successive governments. According to Baroness Louise Casey, who is leading an independent review of the sector, there have been at least 22 attempts at reform since 1997, none of which have successfully addressed the foundational issues.
Burnham also touched upon potential changes to the benefits system, suggesting that support could be made conditional on individuals taking up opportunities presented to them, such as mental health support provided in the workplace. He referenced the government's existing guarantees of opportunities for young people as a model for this approach.
Burnham's personal connection to the issue was highlighted by his mention of his father, Roy, who has Alzheimer's and resides in a care home. He expressed sadness that his father is unaware of his son's current role.
Previous government attempts to address the crisis have faced challenges. In 2019, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed to 'fix the crisis in social care once and for all,' a pledge that did not materialize. More recently, the Labour party faced criticism in 2024 for abandoning plans for an £86,000 cap on lifetime personal care costs, citing deliverability issues within the given timeframe.
In a lighter note during his interview, Burnham stated his dog, Axel, would remain in the north and not move to Downing Street due to potential conflicts with Larry, the Prime Minister's cat.