Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has shared a decades-old picture of herself working as a home carer for Stockport Council, following Prime Minister Andy Burnham's speech on reforming social care. Rayner, who served as Deputy Prime Minister before resigning over tax matters last year, worked as a carer from 2000 to 2005 and became a Unison union representative, launching her political career.
Rayner’s personal experience in care
In a social media post, Rayner wrote: 'I know what it’s like to wash someone, cook for them, and make time to actually listen to them before rushing off to the next call with the clock ticking. I know how it feels to graft hard day and night doing tough, physical shifts for wages I struggled to get by on. That’s why I’ve always fought for a fairer deal for social care.'
Her comments came after Burnham, whose father Roy has Alzheimer’s, gave a speech at a care home pledging to finally fix England's social care system. He acknowledged past failures but offered no specific plans, only announcing that Baroness Louise Casey's commission report would be published a year early.
Burnham’s vision for reform
Burnham stated: 'I just don’t accept that this problem is too big to solve. What we need is a new way of doing politics where we come together, face the challenge head on and build an integrated system that gives people security and dignity.' He also initiated cross-party talks with the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats to find a widely supported solution.
Currently, individuals in England with savings above £23,250 must cover all their care costs. Despite broad consensus on the need for reform, previous attempts have failed. Burnham, visibly emotional, said he would invest his 'political capital' in the effort for his 'dad, and millions like him up and down the country.'
Reaction from Alzheimer’s Society
Alzheimer’s Society CEO Michelle Dyson welcomed Burnham's commitment but stressed the need for specifics. 'As the Prime Minister knows from his own experience, people living with dementia need good quality care as early as possible, but too often families are left to navigate a fragmented system, bearing huge emotional, practical and financial pressures,' she said. She added: 'Burnham’s clarity and conviction in naming these problems is critical. But now the question is what the reforms to address them will actually look like. What’s the offer for the population, how will it be funded, and how will it be organised and delivered? None of these questions are simple, and there’s no escaping the fact that a more generous and comprehensive system will require extra government investment.'
