Burnham Vows to Reveal Fresh Social Care Plan Details on Tuesday

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham will set out details for how he plans to fund proposed reforms of care for the elderly in his Labour Party conference speech on Tuesday.

Burnham has said he will propose overhaul of the social care and put it to the public in a vote at the next general election, which is currently scheduled to take place in 2029. Pressed on how it would be funded, Burnham told LBC Radio: “I will reveal detail tomorrow.”

Asked why he would not move faster on reforming care of the elderly, Burnham said he was restrained by his party’s 2024 election manifesto which pledged not to put up three key levels of tax, the Treasury’s biggest revenue raisers.

“I’ve just got to work within a manifesto that I inherited,” Burnham said. He added also that “it will take time, I’m afraid, to get the detail right.”

The Prime Minister said he would give a “very honest” conference speech in which he would set out his vision for social care.

“People are asking me to lead: I will lead,” he said. “I will put forward what I think is right for the country, and if it is right, great. If it’s not, you know, I will accept the consequences. This country, more than anything right now, needs a direction. It needs honesty.”

Burnham on Sunday pledged the proposal he brings forward on social care would operate “on NHS principles,” meaning it would be universally free at the point of use, like the National Health Service. He has hinted he would introduce new taxes to pay for the policy, telling the BBC: “Nothing is off the table at this moment in time.”