Andy Burnham Pledges Social Care Reform and Welfare Cuts

Prime Minister Andy Burnham warned that the National Health Service will collapse unless England's social care system undergoes substantial reform. In his first major broadcast interviews since taking office, Burnham stated that NHS waiting time standards cannot improve until social care is fixed, although he declined to provide a specific timeline for these changes. He pledged to use his political capital to address the crisis, which currently leaves 14,000 people stuck in English hospitals daily due to a lack of available care.

Parallel to healthcare reform, Burnham signaled a crackdown on the UK welfare bill, which is forecast to reach approximately £323 billion for the 2025-26 financial year. He proposed making benefit claims more conditional, particularly for young people and those receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit. He specifically targeted high housing benefit costs, arguing that the sell-off of social homes since the 1980s has inflated the budget. However, he rejected crude cuts, emphasizing the need for support that encourages workforce entry.

Opponents have reacted sharply to these proposals. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK's Robert Jenrick challenged Burnham to rule out tax increases or borrowing to fund care reforms, with Jenrick warning that the current benefits bill could bankrupt Britain. Meanwhile, the government confirmed it will adhere to the triple lock on state pensions and will review outdated rules that limit terminally ill savers' access to their pension savings. The Department for Work and Pensions also reported losing £226 million to fraud in the year ending March.