Andy Burnham launches cross-party talks on social care - as Reform warn his 'death tax' plan could cost his own constituents £50,000 each

By JASON GROVES, POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 22:30, 28 July 2026 | Updated: 22:35, 28 July 2026 Andy Burnham is set to launch cross-party talks on social care reform – amid claims his proposed 'death tax' could cost his own constituents up to £50,000. The Prime Minister has invited Kemi Badenoch for talks on the issue on Wednesday despite her warning that the £18 billion cost should be funded by spending cuts, not new taxes. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has also been invited for talks. But Nigel Farage has been snubbed. Reform UK has released new analysis claiming that Mr Burnham's long-cherished plan for a 10 per cent 'social care levy' on all inheritances could cost homeowners in his Makerfield constituency £50,000 each. Mr Burnham has identified social care reform as one of his top domestic priorities. In a speech at a care home in London, he will pledge to 'put everything I've got' into finding a solution to the crisis, saying it can no longer be dismissed as 'too risky, too difficult, and too complicated'. Louise Casey launched a review of the social care system this year. But critics said the timetable set by Keir Starmer appeared to be designed to kick the issue into the long grass again. Mr Burnham is expected to ask Baroness Casey to accelerate her work – and has suggested he wants to introduce 'major changes' before the election. The crossbench peer will launch a 'Big Conversation on care' on Wednesday designed to canvass views from the public and experts. The PM said he will push through social care reform despite warnings it is 'too risky' Mrs Badenoch and Sir Ed have both indicated they are willing to take part in cross-party talks. But funding any reform is likely to remain a major stumbling block. Mrs Badenoch has warned she will not countenance further tax rises to pay for it. In a letter to the PM, she said: 'The money must be found by reducing current spending. You must rule out any tax rises or increased borrowing that will ultimately fall on the next generation to pay for. '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.' Mr Burnham has suggested he wants social care incorporated into the NHS as part of a national care service which would be free at the point of use. And he has consistently called for the introduction of a new social care levy. As health secretary in the last Labour government he proposed a 10 per cent flat levy on all estates. It would have replaced inheritance tax. The idea was quickly branded a 'death tax' by political opponents. But Mr Burnham has stuck with the idea. Speaking during the Makerfield by-election he said: 'I know there's a great resentment about inheritance tax, so actually just, you know, take that away, perhaps, and look at a care levy. Reform UK said Mr Burnham's plan could cost homeowners in his Makerfield constituency £50,000 each. Average house prices in the Greater Manchester constituency are just under £200,000. But official estimates suggest property accounts for 40 per cent of a household's wealth, meaning a mortgage-free homeowner could be worth around £500,000. Reform's Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick said: 'As a thank you for electing him, Burnham is considering imposing a universal death tax, in a move that would cost his average constituent a whopping £50,000, just as they are grieving at the loss of a loved one. 'Andy Burnham has no mandate whatsoever to raid people's precious savings. Voters have already rejected a death tax on four separate occasions and it flies in the face of his so-called 'Makerfield Test'. Reform UK demands Burnham thinks again before destroying the inheritance of millions of people.' Baroness Casey said cost should not be the only consideration. 'Fixing adult social care is about far more than money,' she said. 'People are already paying for failure through council tax, pressure on the NHS, their savings, giving up work, and the forced sale of their homes. The choice is whether we keep putting money into a system that is unfair, unpredictable and broken, or have an honest conversation about how to build something better. 'That is why we need a public conversation on care that tackles the tough questions.' Mr Burnham acknowledged there were 'different views' about how to tackle the crisis, but added: 'I'm serious about fixing this issue and to do that, we have to find common ground and listen to others to find a way forward. 'It's time to draw a line under people playing politics when the human cost of that means carers struggling, families paying the price and our NHS buckling under the strain. 'This comes down to a choice. We can carry on passing the problem to the next generation, or we can face it head on and work together to build a care system that gives people dignity, security and the support they deserve.'