Burnham invites Tories and Lib Dems to social care talks
The UK prime minister initiates cross-party discussions on reforming social care in England, omitting Reform UK and the Green Party.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Andy Burnham invites leaders of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties for social care talks.
- Kemi Badenoch sends shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew, while Sir Ed Davey will attend remotely.
- The prime minister is speeding up the Casey Commission to draft a National Care Service.
- Conservatives demand that any reform must avoid tax hikes and increased borrowing.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reached out to the leaders of the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats, inviting them to high-level discussions aimed at overhauling social care in England. The prime minister scheduled the meetings for Wednesday, during which he is widely expected to deliver a keynote address emphasizing that building cross-party consensus remains vital to achieving meaningful reform in the sector.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey confirmed he would participate via Zoom because he is currently staying with his family in France and cares for a disabled son around the clock. Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is unable to attend in person and has appointed shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew to represent her at the table. Notably, Burnham chose not to extend invitations to the leaders of Reform UK or the Green Party of England and Wales.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Social care reform has long been labeled a political third rail in British politics, with successive administrations dodging the issue for decades due to its immense financial complexity. Unlike the tax-funded National Health Service, adult social care requires individuals with assets exceeding specific thresholds to fund their own care, frequently forcing families to liquidate their homes and life savings to cover residential or at-home support costs.
Ahead of the summit, Badenoch addressed a letter to the prime minister urging him to explicitly rule out any measures involving tax increases or elevated borrowing to finance the upcoming social care overhaul. A Conservative spokesperson confirmed that Andrew was fully prepared to collaborate with the Labour government on practical improvements, provided the policies did not rely on public debt or tax burdens, while demanding a fully costed implementation strategy.
Sir Ed posted on X noting that England has witnessed 22 failed attempts to fix social care since 1997, arguing that a 23rd effort requires a fundamentally different approach centered around family carers and safeguarding life savings from catastrophic care expenses. Conversely, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage sharply criticized the prime minister for snubbing his party, accusing the government of colluding behind closed doors while ignoring millions of voters and local councillors.
Source: BBC Politics
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