Burnham calls for political consensus on social care; Casey downplays cost concerns
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivers a speech on social care, urging political consensus, while Louise Casey says many families already pay for care.
Andy Burnham, the UK Prime Minister, on Thursday gave a speech on social care, focusing on building political consensus rather than detailing specific reforms. He said governments have kicked the issue down the road for decades, seeing it as too risky and complicated.
At the same time, Dame Louise Casey, the veteran civil servant leading a commission on adult social care reform, announced a "Big Conversation on Care" to give the public a chance to share their views on the future of adult social care in England. On the BBC's Today programme, Casey condemned dementia as a "hidden problem" and called for better integration of services. She also downplayed cost concerns, noting that many families are already paying for care.
Burnham invited the leaders of the two main opposition parties, Kemi Badenoch (Conservatives) and Ed Davey (Liberal Democrats), to a meeting to discuss social care. However, Badenoch will attend in person, while Davey will join via Zoom from France, where he is caring for his son. Their absences are due to a medical appointment and family circumstances.
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, was not invited and criticised Burnham, accusing him of "conspiring behind closed doors" with the "failed political establishment." Farage has vowed to fight any new taxes, which he calls a "death tax."
Other events of the day include the Cabinet Office publishing annual civil service workforce figures and Defence Secretary Wes Streeting visiting north London.
