Andy Burnham delivered a passionate speech on Wednesday at a Jewish care home in north London, outlining his ambitions for reforming England's social care system. The new prime minister acknowledged the long history of failed attempts, referencing his own 2010 proposals that collapsed amid rightwing media hostility and 'death tax' rows.
Accelerating the Casey Review
Burnham announced he would accelerate Louise Casey's review of social care, originally slated under Keir Starmer for 2028, effectively moving it into a putative Labour second term. He promised to back Casey '100%' and said her recommendations for a National Care Service would be published within 12 months. He offered no specifics on funding or structure, saying options could range from 'fully fledged to lesser options or something in between'.
Workforce and Provider Reforms
Burnham emphasized investment in the social care workforce, including boosting pay and training. He stated he was not opposed to private providers, which currently deliver most care in England, but would not tolerate 'profiteering'. He also called for more support for unpaid carers, often broken by their sacrifices.
Political Will and Tax Questions
The key message was political: Burnham blamed his generation of politicians for the dire state of social care, citing serial ducking of reform, point-scoring, and risk aversion. He challenged other parties to act differently, hinting at potential tax rises: 'If everybody, on the NHS principle, contributed a little, it would mean everyone could protect the majority of what they’d worked for.' He acknowledged media opposition but asked whether the public might support such a move.
Reactions and Optimism
Social care campaigners expressed cautious optimism. One veteran campaigner said: 'There was a sense of excitement in the room. He had every opportunity to downplay expectations but he didn’t.' Burnham compared the inequity of English social care to the privatized US healthcare system, stating: 'The vulnerable pay with everything and it can completely leave them with nothing.' Observers noted clear political will from the top to break the entrenched consensus that fixing social care is impossible.
