Robert Jenrick, Reform UK's Treasury spokesman, has criticized proposals that he claims would introduce a "death tax" to fund expanded social care. Jenrick asserted that such measures have been rejected by the electorate on four previous occasions and suggested that if the Prime Minister believes public opinion has changed, an election should be called.
Jenrick drew a parallel to his own experience caring for his grandmother, Dorothy, who battled emphysema for nine years. He stated that while Andy Burnham's intentions to improve elderly care might be sincere, the proposed methods are impractical and could harm the intended beneficiaries.
According to Jenrick, the proposals involve Westminster taking over social care responsibilities from local councils and substantially increasing the sector's funding. He claims this would necessitate a new "death tax" on inheritances.
He argued that the tax would be regressive, impacting individuals with modest savings and property, such as small bungalows and ex-council flats, not just wealthy estates. Reform UK calculations suggest that approximately 650,000 families annually could be subjected to this tax upon a homeowner's death.
Jenrick stated that the current social care budget is around £34.5 billion, with estimates from the Health Foundation suggesting that universal provision of social care could add another £18 billion by 2035. He contended that there is insufficient funding for such an expansion, citing a Resolution Foundation report that indicates recent government pledges have reduced the Chancellor's fiscal headroom.
The Reform UK spokesman pointed to past electoral outcomes when similar proposals were made. He noted that when Burnham, as health secretary, proposed an inheritance tax levy on estates in 2010, Labour lost the election. He also referenced Theresa May's 2017 "dementia tax" and Labour's 2019 National Care Service proposals, which he claims led to significant electoral defeats for the party.
Jenrick suggested that instead of raising taxes, savings could be made through measures such as cutting the benefits bill, ending Net Zero subsidies, reducing foreign aid to wealthy countries, and addressing illegal migration. He concluded that if the Prime Minister believes voters are now in favor of such a tax, the proper course of action is to seek a public mandate through a general election.