Emotional pledge to reform care
Prime Minister Andy Burnham made an emotional pledge to overhaul the crisis-hit social care system, vowing to help “my dad and the millions like him.” Speaking at a Jewish Care facility in north London, Burnham said the risks of failing to reform social care were too great, with around 2 million people struggling to access much-needed care in England while others see their savings wiped out.
He described England’s system as “as unfair as American healthcare,” adding: “The vulnerable pay with everything, and it can completely leave them with nothing.” Burnham’s father Roy has Alzheimer’s, and the PM has previously spoken of his heartbreak that his dad does not know he has become Prime Minister.
Decades of political failure
Burnham criticized politicians who have kicked the issue into the long grass, noting 22 reviews in the past 30 years. “It's a major dereliction of public duty that Parliament has not faced up to this of all challenges, something so fundamental to life as this,” he said. He added: “I am making this a test of myself whether I can bring forward a solution, or I would never forgive myself, ever.”
He aims to create a new national care service with better pay and training for care workers, closer ties to the NHS, and an independent review by Baroness Casey brought forward to next summer instead of 2028, alongside a national consultation. Cross-party talks with the Tories and Liberal Democrats have also begun.
Funding and future plans
Burnham said he wants to stop people from selling their homes to pay for care but acknowledged “difficult decisions” on funding. He left the door open to tax hikes, saying the government owed it to the public to “do more with what you’ve got.” He signalled that tax rises could be in Labour’s next manifesto: “We will put them before the country at the right time, and we will hopefully proceed with people’s consent.”
He also highlighted the cost of social care failings, which cost the NHS around £2.5 billion a year to keep patients in hospital who are well enough to leave. Carers “should be the best paid people in society,” he said, promising reforms to bring the workforce in line with the NHS.
Personal reflections and political stakes
Burnham described how carers looking after his dad could draw out “a moment of his old character” through conversation. “But also moving from a wheelchair to an armchair, or from there to a bed without distress or discomfort, it is incredibly demanding and skilful what they do and that needs to be recognised,” he said. He thanked overseas care workers caring for his father: “I want those carers to know we appreciate you, we appreciate what you are doing to support people here.”
Speaking without notes, Burnham said he was prepared to stake his political reputation on the plans. “This is huge for me,” he said. “I know this will require me to put what political capital I have on the table and it could wear down that political capital in some ways. But I’m prepared to do it. I’m prepared to do it because this has gone on too long. The risks of failing to act are too great.” Visibly emotional, he added: “I am going to do all of those things for my dad and the millions like him up and down the country.”
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey, who cares for his disabled son, said he felt hopeful after constructive talks. “Everyone will have to accept things we might not like in order to work together - but I think that’s what the public want and expect us to do,” he said. Shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew, representing the Tories, said: “The Conservatives are ready to work with Labour on serious proposals to reform social care. But Burnham needs to produce the detail, and pledge not to raise taxes or increase borrowing to pay for change.”
