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Burnham Mulls £18bn Care Levy, Warns NHS Collapse

7/29/2026

44 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham (Labour) did not rule out an £18 billion “death tax” for care reforms.
Burnham said the Louise Casey review will be accelerated to report next year.
Burnham warned the NHS could collapse without care action, but gave no timeline.
Kemi Badenoch wrote demanding Burnham rule out any tax rises or extra borrowing.
Officials drafted a 1.8 percent earnings levy on workers earning above £6,240 to fund care.

History

Historical Context

After the coalition’s 2012 budget under Chancellor George Osborne focused on tax cuts without introducing a new earnings levy, the government later pursued a health-and-social-care levy. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a 1.25 % levy for April 2023, later scrapped in November 2022. Labour leader Andy Burnham now proposes an £18 billion, 1.8 % care levy, echoing past attempts to fund the NHS.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham (Labour) did not rule out an £18 billion “death tax” for care reforms.
Burnham said the Louise Casey review will be accelerated to report next year.
Burnham warned the NHS could collapse without care action, but gave no timeline.
Kemi Badenoch wrote demanding Burnham rule out any tax rises or extra borrowing.
Officials drafted a 1.8 percent earnings levy on workers earning above £6,240 to fund care.

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