Badenoch Urges Burnham to Rule Out Tax Rises for Social Care as PM Prepares Reform Speech
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 26
Badenoch Urges Burnham to Rule Out Tax Rises for Social Care as PM Prepares Reform Speech
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 26
Summary
Kemi Badenoch wrote to Prime Minister Andy Burnham demanding he rule out tax rises and extra borrowing to fund social care reform before the government unveils its plans this week.
Two conditions framed her offer of Conservative support: pay for reform through cuts to current spending, and protect people who have saved for their own care.
Burnham is expected to set out his approach to adult social care in a speech this week, with Downing Street casting it as part of a drive to tackle long-neglected problems.
The intervention lands as Burnham seeks cross-party backing on an issue that has repeatedly defeated governments, from Boris Johnson's 2019 pledge to Labour's 2024 decision to scrap an £86,000 care-cost cap.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has also called for consensus, and Burnham publicly signaled he is open to working across party lines.