Andy Burnham pledges to repair the fractured social care system in the upcoming election, acknowledging he will ask taxpayers to fund the effort and expend political capital.
Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, he vowed to “rip the plaster off” and overhaul care, proposing a universal service free at the point of use for all England.
He said the proposed NHS‑style service would be financed by “everybody,” though he offered no specifics on funding, hinting that a tax increase could be necessary.
Labour intends to include the proposals in its next general election manifesto, allowing voters to endorse the plan and hopefully blunt political attacks framed as “death taxes.”
Burnham recognised that a nationwide overhaul would be costly and complex, but he dismissed estimates of an £18 billion annual price tag, telling the BBC that the figure is exaggerated.
“Someone has to take the bull by the horns, and I will be that person,” he said. “I know it may demand political capital and could make me unpopular, but that won’t deter me.”
He added that he would take the time needed to devise a fair funding mechanism. “Public finances are under pressure, so we must proceed cautiously without overburdening taxpayers, but I will present concrete proposals.”
The Labour conference aims to be optimistic, with the leader seeking to renew hope that even the nation’s toughest challenges can be tackled amid difficult economic conditions.
Highlighting political courage as a conference theme, he told the Guardian over the weekend, “There’s always action to be taken; it’s merely a question of willingness.”
Burnham conceded that public finances remain “challenging” before next month’s budget, stressing that achieving fiscal stability is “crucial” before the government can address larger issues.
A cascade of global economic shocks—including the Iran conflict—has intensified inflationary pressure on the UK economy, raised borrowing costs, and constrained the government’s fiscal flexibility.
On Sunday, Burnham said he wished to avoid a “doom‑laden” narrative about the UK economy, insisting his leader’s speech would demonstrate his readiness to make hard choices.
He noted “real concern” among financial markets over Britain’s economic outlook, citing the volatile global environment. Burnham said he would consider trimming government spending to balance the budget and believed savings could be found through a more productive, long‑term strategy on rough sleeping and youth unemployment.
Amid worries that strained public finances could limit budgetary options, he said Chancellor John Healey would act with “high prudence.” He added that he would avoid repeating the previous Conservative administration’s risky economic policies, which continue to harm the country.
Speaking to the Guardian, Burnham argued that a substantial fiscal buffer would be required, noting speculation that the Treasury might deem £15 billion an acceptable reserve.
“Stability is essential, and demonstrating a readiness to confront tough realities matters,” he said. “Only from that stability can we gain the mandate to pursue larger reforms that could ultimately strengthen the country’s public finances.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the “heavy lifting” needed to build the case for rejoining the EU must be undertaken by the government now, following Burnham’s indication that the proposal could appear in Labour’s next manifesto.
“We must start the pitch now, explaining to the nation the drawbacks of standing outside the EU and the advantages of membership,” Khan said.
However, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds seemed to criticise both Khan and Burnham, telling Politico that the speculation “frankly creates considerable uncertainty for businesses.”
Meanwhile, Heathrow’s third‑runway plans remain uncertain after Burnham declined to state whether he supports the “contested” project—delayed by up to four years—saying the decision rests principally with London.