Andy Burnham, newly appointed prime minister, will use his opening address at the Labour Party conference to outline a proposal for a free‑at‑the‑point‑of‑use social care system in the United Kingdom.
The speech marks Burnham’s first major policy presentation since taking office, and he said the plan would aim to remove direct charges for social care services, ensuring that individuals receive support without paying fees at the time of use.
Burnham framed the proposal as a continuation of Labour’s long‑standing commitment to universal welfare, noting that many families currently face high out‑of‑pocket costs for home care, residential care and related services.
The idea comes amid ongoing debate over how to fund social care, with previous governments relying on a mix of taxes, means‑tested contributions and a controversial cap on care costs. Burnham indicated that his government would seek a sustainable financing model, though specific details were not disclosed.
Analysts point out that implementing a free‑at‑point‑of‑use system would require significant fiscal resources and legislative changes, and the proposal is likely to be scrutinised by opposition parties and stakeholders in the health and social care sectors.
<small>Source: BBC Health — read the original story there.</small>
