Burnham unveils plan for universal free social care in England

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has proposed a national care service free at the point of use, to be put to voters at the next general election.

• Burnham said the new NHS-style service would be free at the point of use for all in England, but declined to detail funding, saying a review is continuing.
• He ruled out implementing reforms before the 2029 general election, saying Labour would include the proposals in its next manifesto for voter endorsement.
• Burnham said "broken social care will in the end break the NHS" and described the current system as "as unfair as American healthcare."
• Shadow home secretary Chris Philp warned "more tax rises" are likely planned to fund the scheme, calling it a Conservative "red line."
• Burnham signaled he will propose a new tax to fund the reforms and reaffirmed a pledge not to raise income tax or employee national insurance.
• Burnham said he was willing to spend political capital on the reform and rejected suggestions it could cost £18bn a year.