Ed Davey and Matthew Green call on PM Burnham to end the “social care catastrophe”
The Liberal Democrats have set out three tests for Burnham on social care reforms. It follows the party leader making an open offer to the Labour leader to work together across party lines on the issue.
Meanwhile, House of Commons Library analysis commissioned by the party shows that across the country there has been an eye-watering rise in family care costs, with individual contributions to local authority social care rising 60% between 2020/21 and 2024/25, from £2.93bn to £4.68bn.
The Liberal Democrat tests for reforms to end the social care crisis are:
- Put family carers front and centre with guaranteed rights for every carer, including respite care and a full replacement of the broken carers allowance so that families can afford to care.
- A universal safety net of care, including free personal care.
- Protect people from catastrophic costs so no family sees their finances devastated by care
needs.
There has been a major knock on effect on the NHS from the crisis, with record numbers now stuck in hospital who are medically fit to be discharged. Party analysis has found that a record 2.46m hospital bed days have been lost to delayed discharges so far in 2026, higher than the equivalent period for any previous year.
Liberal Democrat candidate for South Shropshire Matthew Green said:
“Out speaking to local people I have been shocked by the number of families who have lost everything to care costs.
“The social care crisis is placing an intolerable burden on our community. And because it accounts for such a huge proportion of Shropshire Council’s spending, the result is that budgets for other council services are squeezed. Andy Burnham must work with local government and the NHS to finally deliver the necessary reforms and funding.
“If we guarantee a minimum level of care, protect families from crippling costs and support family carers we can finally get to grips with the social care crisis.”