Badenoch says PM must rule out tax rises to fund social care reform

Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has asserted that the Prime Minister must definitively rule out tax rises as a means to finance reforms for the social care system. This statement comes amid ongoing discussions about addressing the long-standing crisis in adult social care in England.

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This has to be the start of a real effort to end the social care catastrophe.

Former leaders have previously committed to tackling this issue. Andy Burnham first proposed a universal social care system in 2009 when he served as health secretary. More recently, in 2019, Boris Johnson vowed to "fix the crisis in social care once and for all" in his first speech as prime minister. However, progress has been slow, and policies have faced scrutiny. In July 2024, Labour drew criticism when the party abandoned plans for an £86,000 cap on lifetime personal care spending.

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I'll fight to ensure family carers aren't forgotten. We need cross-party consensus, and I hope the PM's door is open.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, a vocal advocate for social care reform, emphasized the need for a "real effort to end the social care catastrophe" and pledged to support family carers. He expressed hope for cross-party consensus and indicated that the Prime Minister's door should be open to collaboration. Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham responded positively to Davey's call, stating, "It most certainly is, Ed. Let's work together to find some common ground."

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It most certainly is, Ed. Let's work together to find some common ground.