Health policy
Burnham proposes pension reform to fund national care service
The BMJ says pension reform would fund Burnham’s proposed national care service, while the BBC reported that funding options were still being discussed.
Andy Burnham has proposed creating an NHS-style national care service in England, free at the point of use. The BMJ reported that the government would fund the plan through pension reform. The BBC reported that Burnham had not ruled out funding options, with speculation about removing the pensions triple lock.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham warned against scrapping the triple lock, calling it “morally wrong.” Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell told the BBC that the party remained committed to the pledge in its 2024 manifesto. Under the triple lock, state pensions rise each April by at least 2.5% or in line with the highest of prices or earnings. Burnham said he wanted social care to help people live more independently.
