Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a significant reform agenda for England's social care system, a plan he has been developing for over a year.
Burnham has initiated a review of the social care system led by Baroness Casey and has extended an invitation to the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties to collaborate on the proposed reforms. The Prime Minister's office has yet to provide detailed funding mechanisms for the ambitious undertaking.
The announcement, made on BBC's Newscast program, was an opportunity for the Prime Minister to outline his vision for a "National Care Service." The program featured analysis from BBC's Social Affairs Editor Alison Holt, Health Reporter Jim Reed, and Policy and Analysis Correspondent Ben Chu.
This initiative follows numerous previous reviews of the adult social care system in England, reportedly 22, which have had limited impact on systemic change. The details of how the reforms will be funded remain a key question following the announcement.