Andy Burnham’s pensions gambit poses a risk to social care reform

There is no denying that Andy Burnham is serious about social care reform. In his first few months in office, Burnham has not shied away from the difficult conversation that so many of his predecessors never had the stomach to take on.

The lack of appetite to take on the gargantuan task of reforming the social care sector in Westminster has been frustrating for a lot of campaigners like Mike Padgham, honorary chair of the Independent Care Group.

So when he calls Burnham’s words “a breath of fresh air” and welcomes his commitment to deliver reform, the Prime Minister is on the right track. However, there’s a reason why so many have avoided taking on social care and that could well be about to become apparent for Burnham.

The only time anyone came close to grasping the nettle was when Boris Johnson proposed a health and social care levy.

The PM has a personal reason for pushing ahead with reform. His own father has a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

His speech at the Labour Party Conference yesterday has also set Burnham on a collision course with pensioners, after he pledged to pay for a National Care Service by ending the triple lock pension.

Instead it will become an annual double lock, rising at least by prices or 2.5 per cent. It would save billions that would then go towards social care.

This is all predicated on a Burnham-led Labour Party winning the next General Election. And if these proposals are not palatable to an aging population, it could well see an issue that is on the brink of exploding being kicked down the road again.

As Mr Padgham points out, improvements to social care cannot wait. Billions are being spent while patients are left waiting in hospitals. Money that can and should be redirected to the social care sector.