Burnham's social care plan condemned as a 'mirage' as 30,000 people a year die waiting for care

From the Newshound archive · first published 9 October 2026.

Campaigners have rounded on Andy Burnham's National Care Service pledge, warning it will take a decade to materialise and calling it a "pig in a poke" plan that began unravelling the moment his conference speech ended. Dennis Reed of Silver Voices accused Burnham of scrapping the triple lock to fund a scheme that won't raise anywhere near the money needed. Last year alone, 30,000 people died waiting for social care that never came, while nearly 300,000 have signed a petition demanding the triple lock be restored.

Silver Voices warns Burnham's promised 'free at the point of use' care system may still land pensioners with huge bills, just as in Scotland.