Polling shows the scale of the challenge for the PM when it comes to funding social care
Prime Minister Andy Burnham was widely praised after pledging to take on the difficult task of social care reform. The majority of people in this country understand the importance of grasping the nettle on social care. The PM also has a powerful story of his own to share. Burnham has spoken openly about his father, who is living with Alzheimer's.
It is clear that the will is there to reform social care and that is reflected by the cross party approach that the PM is seeking to this all important issue. However, the multi-billion pound question is can the Government find a way to deliver the reforms necessary.
That challenge is evident in the findings from the think tank Health Foundation. Its polling shows that just 23 per cent of people would support an additional tax specifically earmarked for social care.
The PM has said “difficult, difficult decisions” could be needed on tax but that fixing the current problems in social care in England could save the NHS billions of pounds a year.
He is right to point out the potential to save billions of pounds on the NHS. The health service is suffering from a perma-crisis because of the issues with the backdoor to the NHS, social care. There are far too many patients stuck in hospitals when they could be cared for in the community.
The challenge for the PM, should the Government head down the path of additional taxation, is to convince the public that it would not only be the morally right thing to do but also the fiscally responsible step to take.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been the closest to grasping the nettle on social care when he pledged to introduce an additional tax for social care.
With an aging population, Britain can ill afford not to face up to the challenge of a properly funded social care system, however that funding is delivered.