Burnham proposes universal free social care system for England

LONDON — British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Sunday he wants to introduce a universal social care system in England based on NHS principles, with the proposal to be put before voters at the next general election.In an interview with the BBC, Burnham said he envisaged a system in which “everyone contributes, everyone is covered,” and indicated that tax increases could be considered to fund the reforms.Burnham acknowledged that funding the plan could require choices that prove difficult or unpopular with some voters. He is expected to set out the broad direction of his social care proposals in a speech at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool on Tuesday.The proposal would represent a major change to the way adult social care is funded in England. Unlike the National Health Service, which is generally free at the point of use, access to publicly funded social care is currently means-tested.Burnham argued that the existing system already imposes substantial costs on individuals and families, with some people spending tens of thousands of pounds of their savings on care.“I am talking about a system that works on NHS principles because that is the only way you can make it work,” Burnham said.He pointed to free personal care arrangements elsewhere in the UK and said it was not right for people in England to receive different treatment, while stressing that reform would not be rushed.Burnham also linked the social care system to pressure on the NHS, arguing that inadequate care provision leaves large numbers of patients in hospital despite being medically ready to return home.He said a reformed system could therefore ease pressure on hospitals as well as change the way people pay for care.Asked whether everyone would contribute under his proposed model, Burnham said it would operate on that principle, although not necessarily through the same funding mechanism currently used for the NHS.Burnham has not yet detailed how the new system would be financed. He said “nothing is off the table” as the government considers funding options, with the proposals expected to be presented to voters at the next general election.