British Prime Minister Andy Burnham indicated on Monday that he wanted to reform the social assistance system (dependency, disability, etc.), the cost of which has continued to increase in recent years, and also mentioned a possible tightening of the conditions of access to social benefits.
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In his first major BBC interview since arriving in Downing Street a week ago, Andy Burnham said he would devote “all the political capital” he has to transforming the welfare system, which he described as “failing”.
“I think it is possible to make major changes before the next legislative elections” scheduled for 2029, declared the new head of the Labor government.
Former Minister of Health under Gordon Brown between 2009 and 2010, Andy Burnham has for years defended the establishment of a universal social assistance system, based on the model of that existing for health.
The sector, which notably covers home help and accommodation for the elderly or dependent people, is under strong financial pressure. Unlike the free NHS, this care is largely financed on a means-tested basis and local authorities, responsible for these services in England, are struggling to cope with increasing demand linked to the aging of the population.
At the same time, the lack of places and staff can delay hospital discharges for certain people, contributing to congesting the public health system, the NHS.
The new head of government also spoke about social benefits, believing that the United Kingdom must “take seriously” the increase in the system’s bill.
He suggested tightening the conditions of access to certain benefits in order to encourage more beneficiaries to return to work.
“It’s about changing the nature of support and conditioning part of it on the fact that people seize the opportunities available to them,” he declared, while affirming that he did not want to “blame” the recipients, particularly young people.
The debate comes as UK spending on incapacity and health benefits continues to rise since the Covid-19 pandemic, fueled by the rise in the number of people permanently removed from the labor market for medical reasons.
The previous Labor government of Keir Starmer had tried to pass a reform of social benefits, but had to reduce its scope in the face of the revolt of many members of his majority in Parliament.
