Burnham Proposes Free Social Care for England, Says Universal Plan Would Cost Less Than £18 Billion
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 27
Burnham Proposes Free Social Care for England, Says Universal Plan Would Cost Less Than £18 Billion
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 27
Summary
Andy Burnham said he will ask voters at the next general election to back an NHS-style social care system in England that is free at the point of use.
£18 billion a year is one estimate for a universal scheme, but Burnham said the cost would be lower and refused to rule out tax rises, arguing "everyone contributes, everyone is covered".
England currently means-tests support, with people holding more than £23,250 in savings generally ineligible for council help, unlike the NHS and unlike broader free personal care in Scotland.
Baroness Casey is due to bring forward her social care review to next summer, with Burnham saying the final model should go through cross-party talks before being tested in an election.
Conservatives called tax rises a red line and Reform revived "death tax" attacks, underscoring the political risk that has derailed past social care overhauls.