National Care Service Plan
Andy Burnham pledges a free National Care Service for the next general election.
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Andy Burnham says he will take a plan for an English National Care Service, modeled on the NHS and free at the point of use, to voters at the next general election rather than introduce it in the current Parliament. He argues that the existing system leaves vulnerable people facing large bills and can put added pressure on the NHS. Burnham says everyone would contribute to the new service, but has not settled on a funding model; he has not ruled out an inheritance-related levy and says the precise proposals will be developed with Baroness Louise Casey. He acknowledges the reform would cost billions, disputes an estimate of £18 billion a year, and says current Labour manifesto tax commitments make action in this Parliament difficult.
Key Points
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Burnham said a shortage of social care can leave patients who are medically ready to leave hospital stuck there, putting additional pressure on the NHS.
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Burnham linked his determination to reform social care to his father Roy’s recent death; Roy had needed care because of Alzheimer’s disease.
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Burnham called for a cross-party approach to developing a workable funding plan and criticised political scaremongering and excessive caution as obstacles to reform.
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On his earlier proposal for an inheritance-related levy, Burnham said that keeping the option open did not mean he would simply return to the proposal he made in 2010.
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