Andy Burnham has indicated that social care reform would come after the next general election, saying voters will be asked to back his plan at the ballot box.
Commitment to manifesto on tax
Asked whether he would carry out social care reform before the next election in 2029, Burnham said he would stick to the Labour manifesto and its commitments on tax, which rule out rises in income tax, national insurance or VAT.
Plan to be tested at the election
Pressed on whether a special new tax could fund social care, Burnham replied: “Trust is really important to me here. I don’t think you can reform this system without it, without consensus. So I’m saying to you that I will develop a very clear plan, and I will put that plan to the public at a general election.”
He went on: “That will be where the plan gets tested. And people will then be able to decide. And I am prepared to put myself in that position, recognising that it might be difficult or unpopular with some, but that is the way to do it, to get that endorsement and then introduce the system in the next parliament. Because the backing of people for this really matters.”
