Burnham seeks cross-party consensus on urgent social care reforms

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, is pushing for a united political front to tackle the long-standing crisis in social care. He has invited leaders from the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties to a discussion aimed at finding common ground for "problem-solving, not point-scoring."

While Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey confirmed his attendance via video call, the Conservatives stated they would send the shadow health secretary, Stuart Andrew, as leader Kemi Badenoch is undergoing minor surgery. This move has already cast a shadow of doubt over the possibility of genuine cross-party consensus, especially with the Tories reportedly imposing their own "red lines" and facing negative press regarding inheritance tax.

Burnham emphasized the urgent need for a different political approach, stating that "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." He highlighted the human cost of inaction, with carers struggling, families paying the price, and the NHS under immense strain.

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We need a different kind of politics: problem-solving, not point-scoring. Nowhere is that more urgent than social care. For decades, governments have kicked this issue down the road because they’ve seen it as too risky, too difficult, and too complicated.

The prime minister is expected to announce plans to accelerate an independent review led by Louise Casey, rather than unveiling a new social care system. Lady Casey's review will include a "Big Conversation on Care" to gather public views. However, Burnham's efforts occur against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, with warnings of "very difficult trade-offs" in the upcoming budget if oil prices and inflation remain high due to geopolitical events.

Burnham is reportedly exploring a system that would be free at the point of use, similar to the NHS, viewing options like a care costs cap as less desirable due to their taxpayer cost. A potential middle-ground model, like Scotland's, where the state covers personal care costs but individuals bear accommodation and food expenses in care homes, is also being considered. Any eventual government pursuit is likely to require significant new investment.

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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.