Andy Burnham Proposes Free Social Care System, Union Condemns Pension Lock Scrapping

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has put forward a proposal for a new National Care Service for England, mirroring the operational principles of the National Health Service. Speaking at a Labour Party conference, Mr Burnham detailed a funding model that would involve a new wealth tax and the discontinuation of the state pension 'triple lock'.

The triple lock, which guarantees that state pensions rise by the highest of inflation, average earnings growth, or 2.5%, has been a cornerstone of government policy for pensioners. Its proposed abolition under Burnham's scheme would release funds, which he argues are essential to establishing a comprehensive and free social care system. He stated that the current social care crisis demands radical reform, moving away from a system that he characterised as often inadequate and prohibitively expensive for many families.

While Mr Burnham's address garnered a significant standing ovation from the conference attendees, his proposals quickly drew condemnation from the National Pensioners Convention. The organisation criticised the potential scrapping of the triple lock, arguing it would disproportionately affect older people and undermine their financial security. This immediate backlash highlights the contentious nature of social care funding reform and the political challenges associated with altering existing welfare commitments.