UK PM Sunak to tackle social care, youth unemployment

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is preparing to tackle some of Britain's most persistent and difficult challenges, including the long-standing crisis in social care and the persistent issue of youth unemployment. Sources close to the prime minister emphasize his determination to address problems that have been "ignored for years and seen as impossible to resolve."

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He has the courage to fix the most difficult issues that have been ignored for years and seen as impossible to resolve. He doesn't accept that they are. They can't be ignored any longer.

The government's overarching goal is to prove that "governments can make people's lives better if they choose to" and to "get Britain believing again." This ambition comes as the social care sector, unlike the National Health Service, is not free at the point of use. Individuals with savings exceeding £23,250 are ineligible for council assistance with care costs, a system that has faced criticism for years.

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Unlike the NHS, social care is not free at the point of use, and people with savings worth more than £23,250 are not entitled to help with the cost of care from their local council.

Sunak's pledge to reform social care echoes previous promises from past leaders. Boris Johnson vowed to "fix the crisis in social care once and for all" in 2019, and more recently, Labour faced criticism for scrapping plans for an £86,000 cap on lifetime care costs. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for "cross-party consensus" on the issue, stating, "This has to be the start of a real effort to end the social care catastrophe."

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

Burnham has also committed to ending rough sleeping in England, reducing VAT on domestic electricity bills, and lowering bus fares outside London. Additionally, his government announced a 20% cut in business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music venues. However, these ambitious plans are already drawing questions about their funding. "Where's the money coming from, Andy?" asked Kevin Hollinrake, chairman of the Conservative Party, highlighting the financial challenges ahead.

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