Andy Burnham to outline social care reform and tax rises in first Labour Party conference speech

Andy Burnham to outline social care reform and tax rises in first Labour Party conference speech Mr Burnham previously stated his intention to spend his remaining ‘political capital’ on fixing social care - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in Delivering his inaugural address to the Labour Party conference as leader on Tuesday, Andy Burnham will pledge to confront the subjects politicians "usually avoid". The Prime Minister is set to use the speech to establish a "clear direction" for the country, promising "less drift and more direction". He will also introduce a series of measures addressing social care, youth unemployment, and public control over utility companies, committing to an "honest conversation" regarding difficult matters. Reflecting the conference theme of "Hope again", Mr Burnham will tell delegates that "hope comes from honesty and from saying the things politicians usually avoid". In his address, he will state: "We can’t carry on as we are. Politics-as-usual has taken Britain backwards. More of the same isn’t good enough and isn’t going to get us where we need to be." Returning to themes from his initial addresses after taking office, he will attack the centralisation of power held by "vested interests" while pledging a departure from the "flawed thinking of the last 40 years". Social care funding is set to feature prominently, following the Prime Minister’s indication on Monday that he would outline further details regarding his strategy to finance structural reform. Mr Burnham previously stated his intention to spend his remaining "political capital" on fixing social care, an issue he previously championed as health secretary in Gordon Brown’s administration. Those earlier measures, funded via a levy on estates, were attacked by critics as a "death tax" before being shelved following Labour’s general election defeat in 2010. Speaking at the start of the conference on Sunday, Mr Burnham maintained he was ready to make tough choices, including raising taxes, to fund social care, while accusing former political leaders of "cowardice" for failing to "grasp the nettle" of reform. Significant changes remain unlikely ahead of the next election, however, as Baroness Louise Casey has yet to publish her social care review findings and Mr Burnham suggested his proposals would feature in Labour’s next manifesto. Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake argued that hope was "not a strategy". Mr Hollinrake remarked: "If Andy Burnham wants to be honest with the British people, he must admit that Labour’s tax rises have crushed businesses, killed jobs and hammered family finances — all so Labour can give more handouts to benefits street. "Tomorrow Andy Burnham has the chance to show whether he’s got the backbone to bring the welfare bill down and stand up to his welfare obsessed MPs. Failure to do so will prove he’s just a people pleaser who can’t take decisions in the national interest, and that Labour really are the welfare party." Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments