Andy Burnham signals social care overhaul as top priority if PM
11 reported
Andy Burnham has indicated he would overhaul England’s social care system this year if he became prime minister, according to a report. Work is already under way on updating the system under Keir Starmer, but Burnham has suggested he would seek more radical and urgent change. The adult social care sector in England has been in crisis for decades, with local authorities struggling to meet rising costs and a permanent staffing shortage. There were 2m new requests for publicly funded social care in 2024-25, up from 1.8m in 2015-16, with a 31% increase in requests from working-age adults. The government spends about £32bn a year on adult social care through local authorities, which are overspending on their care budgets. Labour has promised the creation of a national care service and has asked cross-bench peer Louise Casey to undertake an independent review, with a first report due this year and full implementation estimated to take up to 2036. Charities and social care directors have criticized the timeline for being too long.
What’s reported
Andy Burnham has signalled he would overhaul England’s social care system this year if he became prime minister.
Work is already under way on updating the system under Keir Starmer, but Burnham has suggested he would seek more radical and urgent change.
There were 2m new requests for publicly funded social care in 2024-25, up from 1.8m in 2015-16.
Requests from working-age adults increased by 31%.
The government spends about £32bn a year on adult social care through local authorities.
Labour promised a national care service and has asked Louise Casey to undertake an independent review.
The Casey commission’s first report is due this year, with full implementation estimated to take up to 2036.
Charities and social care directors have criticized the timeline for being too long.
The government is introducing a fair pay agreement for care workers, backed by £500m in funding.
The Local Government Association said this money is not enough to cover all costs.
Analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research suggested full structural reform could cost £36bn a year by 2030.
Key figures
Andy Burnham, politician
Keir Starmer, prime minister
Louise Casey, cross-bench peer leading the independent review
Sources: The Guardian
