- Kemi Badenoch will only support Andy Burnham’s social care reforms if they are funded by cutting spending rather than raising taxes, The Times can reveal.
- She warned against increasing taxes to fund his early announcements.
- Badenoch stated, “The tax burden has risen to a record high under Labour, and there is already speculation you will increase taxes further at the budget this autumn.”
- On social care, she emphasized, “The money must be found by reducing current spending” and insisted that Burnham must rule out any tax rises.
- Badenoch expressed her willingness to work with the prime minister, provided her red lines are not breached.
- She added that any solution must be fair to those who have made provisions and saved up over their lives.
- In her letter, Badenoch urged Burnham to ‘rule out any tax rises or increased borrowing’ to fund social care reform.
- She reiterated that any reform must be funded by reducing current spending and not raising taxes.
- Badenoch stated, “With businesses closing or relocating, youth unemployment higher than in the eurozone, and the cost of living already causing real hardship, the last thing Britain needs is further tax increases to pay for social care.”
Kemi Badenoch has firmly stated that any reforms to social care must not involve tax increases, urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham to find funding through cuts to current spending instead. In a letter, she outlined her two core principles for reform: fairness for those who have saved for their care and a strict prohibition on tax hikes.1
Badenoch emphasized, “The money must be found by reducing current spending. You must rule out any tax rises or increased borrowing which will ultimately fall on the next generation.” She criticized the current tax burden, which she claims has reached a record high under Labour, and warned against further tax increases to cover new spending commitments.8
She stated, “With businesses closing or relocating, youth unemployment higher than in the eurozone, and the cost of living already causing real hardship for many people, the last thing Britain needs is further tax increases to pay for social care.” Badenoch's stance comes as Burnham prepares to address social care issues, a topic he has championed since his time as health secretary.9
Badenoch's letter reflects a willingness to collaborate with Burnham, provided her conditions are met. She noted that previous attempts to reach a consensus on social care have been challenging, but expressed hope for finding common ground on this critical issue.
As the debate continues, the pressure mounts on the government to address the funding crisis in social care without imposing additional financial burdens on the public.
“In a letter to Burnham, Badenoch expressed willingness to work with the government but noted previous attempts to form a durable consensus on social care have failed. She argued that with youth unemployment higher than in the eurozone and the cost of living causing hardship, further tax hikes would harm Britain.”
The Times
The Independent
