Burnham's plans for social care and its workers are admirable but changes must come quickly | Heather Stewart
News Source
β’Sun, 04 Oct 2026 10:37:59 GMT
π° What Happened
Andy Burnham gave a speech about social care that moved columnist Heather Stewart to tears. Burnham said personal care should work like 'social insurance', sharing the risk across families. Stewart's own mother has Alzheimer's and has lived in a care home for three years. Her family pays for most of it from their own money.
Stewart says Burnham's plan is admirable, but money is needed now, not later. She wants change to come quickly for a system that has left many families struggling alone.
π The Backstory
Care funding has been at the heart of UK politics since Theresa May's 2017 manifesto. Almost a decade of neglect has passed since then. Burnham wants care workers placed at the centre of his plan, and he is willing to spend political capital to do it.
However, personal care is only part of the total cost of residential care. Much of the bill is 'bed and board', such as cooking, cleaning and upkeep. Burnham's changes would not pay for those costs. Sharing the risk would still be a big step forward.
π― Why It Matters
Many families struggle to pay for care for elderly parents. A fairer system could ease that burden. But without quick funding, families will keep struggling alone.
Andy Burnham gave a speech about social care that moved columnist Heather Stewart to tears. Burnham said personal care should work like 'social insurance', sharing the risk across families. Stewart's own mother has Alzheimer's and has lived in a care home for three years. Her family pays for most of it from their own money.
Stewart says Burnham's plan is admirable, but money is needed now, not later. She wants change to come quickly for a system that has left many families struggling alone.
Care funding has been at the heart of UK politics since Theresa May's 2017 manifesto. Almost a decade of neglect has passed since then. Burnham wants care workers placed at the centre of his plan, and he is willing to spend political capital to do it.
However, personal care is only part of the total cost of residential care. Much of the bill is 'bed and board', such as cooking, cleaning and upkeep. Burnham's changes would not pay for those costs. Sharing the risk would still be a big step forward.
Many families struggle to pay for care for elderly parents. A fairer system could ease that burden. But without quick funding, families will keep struggling alone.