Robert Jenrick, Reform UK's Treasury spokesman, has called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to definitively rule out future tax increases as a means to fund reforms for adult social care in England. Burnham has indicated that he intends to explore existing budgets before considering tax rises, acknowledging that "difficult decisions" lie ahead and that funding options will be detailed in a review scheduled for next summer.
Jenrick suggested that reforms should be financed through reductions in foreign aid and benefit payments for migrants. He specifically urged Burnham to reject what he termed a universal "death tax," a reference to a compulsory levy for care costs that was previously proposed by a Labour government when Burnham served as health secretary.
Burnham has not indicated plans to introduce an adult social care levy in that specific form. He previously stated that proposals made in 2009 were aimed at preventing individuals from being forced to sell their homes to pay for care.
The current prime minister has identified fixing the social care system as a top priority. A review of the system, led by Baroness Casey, has been accelerated and is now expected to be published next summer. This review will examine how to fund a national care service and its integration with the National Health Service (NHS). Burnham also stated his intention to immediately work with Chancellor John Healey to improve the pay and training of care workers, asserting that these initiatives would be "fully funded" from current budgets.
Regarding the broader system overhaul, Burnham indicated a preference for maximizing existing budgets before considering tax increases. Jenrick, however, expressed skepticism, stating, "He won't, he can't, he will not rule out a death tax." He implored Burnham to "rule out this tax, end the uncertainty, end the worry today."
Jenrick agreed with Burnham that care workers are "scandalously underpaid" and proposed that a Reform UK government would prioritize employing British citizens by ceasing visas for overseas workers. He further stated that Reform would allocate funds for social care by cutting waste and reallocating money from the foreign aid budget, asserting, "I could not look the British taxpayer in the eye and impose a tax – another tax – before I had stopped sending taxpayers' money to rich countries overseas."
The Conservative Party has also urged the prime minister to rule out tax rises and further borrowing for social care funding. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch wrote to Burnham stating that any solution must be fair to individuals who have saved throughout their lives.
Burnham has been engaged in cross-party discussions to build support for potential changes, meeting with Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew. Reform UK and the Green Party were not invited to these discussions, with both expressing disappointment. Jenrick commented that he was "not surprised" Reform leader Nigel Farage was not included, suggesting that Farage would not support measures perceived as a "betrayal of people who've paid in all their lives."
Jenrick asserted Reform UK's commitment to health and social care issues, despite not having a dedicated health spokesperson, stating, "We are absolutely at the coalface of this, trying to do our utmost to support people in difficult times. Don't tell us we don't care about this issue. We really do."
Adult social care in England provides support for individuals to live more independently. Unlike the NHS, social care services are not free at the point of use. In England and Northern Ireland, individuals with savings exceeding £23,250 are generally not eligible for council assistance with care costs. Eligibility rules differ in Wales and Scotland.