(Adnkronos) – The British Prime Minister Andy Burnham today expressed his intention to reform the social care system (long-term care, disability benefits, etc.), the cost of which has steadily increased in recent years, also hinting at a possible tightening of eligibility requirements for benefits.
In his first major interview with the BBC since taking office in Downing Street a week ago, Andy Burnham stated that he would dedicate “all his political capital” to transforming the social care system, which he described as “failed”.
“I believe it is possible to make substantial changes before the next general election” scheduled for 2029, said the new Labour leader. Already Minister of Health under Gordon Brown between 2009 and 2010, Andy Burnham has been fighting for years for the implementation of a universal social care system, modeled on the current healthcare system.
The sector, which includes home care and housing for the elderly or people who are not self-sufficient, is under strong financial pressure. Unlike the National Health Service (NHS), which is free, these services are largely income-based, and local authorities, which govern the system in England, struggle to meet the growing demand due to the aging population.
The new Prime Minister also addressed the issue of social benefits, stating that the United Kingdom must “take seriously” the rising costs of the system. He suggested tightening eligibility requirements for some benefits to encourage more people to return to work.
This debate takes place in a context where British spending on disability and health benefits continues to increase since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, fueled by the growing number of people absent from the labor market for medical and permanent reasons.
