This morning, the prime minister explained how he will tackle one of the most intractable problems in British politics – reforming social care.
Leading a country is arguably one of the toughest jobs in the world, particularly given the challenges facing England. To name a few, poverty and homelessness are at record levels and the energy crisis is still spiralling out of control.
However, few issues are as daunting as social care. High vacancy rates, mounting financial pressures and a shortage of beds have left the sector on its knees. If I were a betting person, I’d wager this was one of the challenges Burnham was least looking forward to tackling.
Today, during a visit to a jewish care home, the prime minister announced his plans to reform social care. During his speech, Burnham said: ‘For decades, governments have kicked this issue down the road because they’ve seen it as too risky, too difficult, and too complicated.
‘Politicians might have different views but I’m serious about fixing this issue and to do that, we have to find common ground and listen to others to find a way forward.
‘It’s time to draw a line under people playing politics when the human cost of that means carers struggling, families paying the price and our NHS buckling under the strain.’
One of the biggest announcements in Burnham’s speech was his decision to bring forward Baroness Louise Casey’s review of adult social care, with the report now due next summer instead of 2028.
The Baroness, who chaperoned the prime minister to his talk, also unveiled plans to launch the Big Conversation on Care – a consultation in which the public will be able to have their say over the future of the sector.
What’s more, health secretary Yvette Cooper is set to chair a new ministerial group, with plans to appoint a dementia tsar later this summer.
Cooper said: ‘Too many older and disabled people are being let down by a broken system, while millions of unpaid carers shoulder an enormous burden every day. When social care fails, it affects people’s independence, families’ lives and communities across the country.
‘More than 50 years ago, Barbara Castle recognised that health and social care must work hand in hand. Today, with demand for care rising and more people relying on support to live independently, that vision has never been more important.’
On the subject of support, the prime minister has also outlined his objectives for the National Care Plan, which was first launched by Burnham in 2010 when he was working as the health secretary under Gordon Brown’s government.
Burnham said he wants the plan to ensure people can move ‘seamlessly’ between hospitals and care homes, it must prioritise prevention to ensure older people can live more independently and it must be sustainably funded.
‘I won’t stand by and leave people paying the price for Westminster’s refusal to deal with the real issues facing our country,’ Burnham said. ‘I just don’t accept that this problem is too big to solve. What we need is a new way of doing politics where we come together, face the challenge head on and build an integrated system that gives people security and dignity.’
Ahead of his speech today, the prime minister invited Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey to work alongside him while addressing the problems facing social care.
Davey said: ‘We had a constructive call, and I come out of it feeling hopeful. Clearly this is just the beginning and we will need many more cross-party meetings to find consensus. Everyone will have to accept things we might not like in order to work together – but I think that’s what the public want and expect us to do.’
Image: Andy Burnham ©House of Commons
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