Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inAthena StavrouSunday 27 September 2026 10:27 BSTAndy Burnham says social care is as 'unfair as American healthcare' and will break the NHSAndy Burnham announced plans for a taxpayer-funded national social care service operating on NHS principles and free at the point of use, which will be put to the public at the next general election.The Prime Minister pledged to address social care reform in England in an interview with the BBC, describing the existing system as being “as unfair as American healthcare” and warning that failing to reform it will eventually break the National Health Service.The proposed care service will not be introduced during the current parliament due to Labour manifesto commitments regarding tax, but a clear plan will be formulated for public endorsement at the next election.Highlighting the flaws of the current setup, the Prime Minister noted that vulnerable individuals face severe financial strain, frequently spending tens of thousands of pounds from personal savings or selling their homes to pay care charges.The Prime Minister is scheduled to outline his overarching vision for social care reform at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool on Tuesday, with Baroness Louise Casey's review expected to help flesh out the specific details.In fullBurnham to put plan for free national care service to the public at next general electionMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in