Burnham Targets Social Care Overhaul Amidst Funding Concerns
Proposed reforms aim to address systemic issues, but financial pressures and past policy failures loom large.
Sarah Connor
Andy Burnham has announced plans to overhaul England's social care system, prioritising its repair amidst broader economic challenges.
Recent government pledges will cost over £2 billion in 2029/30, according to the Resolution Foundation.
The current framework for social care contributions maintains the lower capital limit for means-tested support at £14,250; the higher limit remains at £23,250.
Freezing these capital limits in real terms means more older people will pay for their own care.
Unlike NHS care, social care in the UK is not provided free at the point of delivery; individuals often face the prospect of selling their homes to fund necessary support.
The value of a person's home can be included in asset calculations for social care costs if someone other than a partner, a relative over 60, or a child permanently occupies it.
In 2023, 900,000 people had their requests for social care turned down.
Historically, Labour, under Sir Keir Starmer, previously abandoned plans for an £86,000 cap on lifetime personal care costs, citing insurmountable deliverability issues.
The Baroness Casey's Commission on Social Care will publish its full recommendations in 2028, but not before launching a public consultation in summer 2024.
The broader political landscape sees the Conservatives reportedly accusing the Prime Minister of 'writing cheques British people can't cash.'
People are already reeling from a record tax burden.
Reform UK's Robert Jenrick warns the Prime Minister not to 'hammer families with a death tax,' stating unequivocally, 'People are already reeling from a record tax burden.'
Jenrick further asserted, 'If Andy Burnham wants to reheat his failed death tax he should call a general election and see what the British people make of it.' He concluded, 'He has no mandate to inflict a mammoth tax assault on the country.'
If Andy Burnham wants to reheat his failed death tax he should call a general election and see what the British people make of it. He has no mandate to inflict a mammoth tax assault on the country.
Reform UK proposes reinstating in-person assessments and the two-child benefit cap to achieve savings, a stark contrast to the identified main drivers of welfare spending increases, which include pensioner and health-related benefits.
The government expects to announce devolution in the week of June 10, 2024, a move that will hand mayors a share of income tax revenue.
The freezing of capital limits for social care contributions means the financial burden on many individuals, particularly older people, will intensify, potentially necessitating the sale of homes to cover care costs despite reform efforts.