Burnham signals social care reform, confirms Labour leadership run
11 reported3 unconfirmed
Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, has indicated he would begin transforming England’s social care system this year if he became prime minister, accusing Westminster of “flinching away” from tackling difficult policy problems. In an interview with the Guardian while campaigning in the Makerfield byelection, Burnham confirmed for the first time that he intends to run in a Labour leadership contest. He said he would not flinch from addressing social care funding, including implications for inheritance tax and care charges, and suggested bringing forward the Casey review from 2028 to the end of 2026. Burnham also signalled there would be no snap election if he replaced Keir Starmer, defended his comments about politicians not being “in hock” to bond markets, and argued it would be a mistake to rerun the Brexit referendum. He praised Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood for facing up to immigration issues and said Labour should be a broad church, but drew a line at allowing Jeremy Corbyn back into the party.
What’s reported
Burnham said he would begin transforming England’s social care system this year if he became prime minister.
He confirmed for the first time that he intends to run in a Labour leadership contest.
He suggested bringing forward the Casey review on social care funding from 2028 to the end of 2026.
Burnham said there would be no snap election if he replaced Keir Starmer.
He argued it would be a mistake to rerun the Brexit referendum but wants the UK to rejoin the EU in his lifetime.
He praised Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood for facing up to immigration issues.
Burnham said Labour should be a broad church but Jeremy Corbyn should not be allowed back in.
He said some leftwingers, including Faiza Shaheen and Jamie Driscoll, should never have been kicked out of Labour.
Burnham denied he had left himself little room for manoeuvre by sticking to Rachel Reeves’s fiscal rules.
He suggested replacing council tax with a land value tax and reallocating £39bn earmarked for social and affordable housing solely to social homes.
Burnham said he would stay on as Greater Manchester mayor if he loses the byelection.
Open questions
Whether Burnham will win the Makerfield byelection.
Whether he would find another seat if he loses the byelection.
The specific details of his proposed social care funding changes.
Key figures
Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester mayor and Labour candidate in Makerfield byelection
Keir Starmer, prime minister
Shabana Mahmood, home secretary
Jeremy Corbyn, former Labour leader
Faiza Shaheen, former Labour candidate
Jamie Driscoll, former Labour mayor
Josh Simons, MP for Makerfield who stepped aside
Wes Streeting, Labour MP
Sources: The Guardian
