Key facts
- Andy Burnham is initiating cross-party talks to find a lasting solution for social care in England.
- The Conservatives have stated they will only support reforms funded by spending cuts, ruling out tax rises or borrowing.
- Liberal Democrats are prepared to engage but will condition support for tax changes on the inclusion of family carers.
- Labour MPs have welcomed reform prospects but cautioned against penalizing savers or those losing homes to care costs.
- The Green Party has expressed support for a system similar to the NHS and is willing to work constructively.
- Trade unions, including the TUC and Unison, are involved and advocate for funding through taxation, particularly on the wealthy and assets.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, has pledged to lead cross-party discussions aimed at finding a sustainable solution for social care in England. He emphasized the need for collaboration, stating that no single party has a monopoly on good ideas and acknowledging decades of failure in addressing the issue. Burnham intends to start with short-term agreements to build towards a lasting, cross-party consensus.
However, significant hurdles remain. The Conservative party, represented by Kemi Badenoch, has stipulated that any reforms must be funded through spending cuts, explicitly ruling out tax rises or increased borrowing. This stance has led to skepticism from senior Labour and Liberal Democrat figures, who question the feasibility of genuine cross-party working under such conditions. Liberal Democrats have also indicated that the inclusion of family carers in any reforms would be a prerequisite for their support of tax changes.
Labour MPs have welcomed the initiative but expressed concerns about protecting individuals from losing their homes to care costs or being penalized by new taxes. The Green Party has offered constructive engagement, advocating for a system of free adult social care akin to the NHS. Trade unions, including the TUC and Unison, are also involved, pushing for funding through general taxation, particularly targeting wealth and assets, and addressing issues like care visa reforms.