Story perspectives

Burnham Promises Free National Care Service Funded by Triple Lock

By Drooid · Sep 29, 2026, 10:04 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Andy Burnham announced a National Care Service at the Labour conference in Liverpool on Tuesday.
He said the service will be free at point of use.
He said ending the pension triple lock will fund the care system.
He projected £15 billion savings from the change by 2040.
Lucy Powell said Labour’s 2024 manifesto still commits to the triple lock, without confirming any change.

History

Historical Context

The NHS launched on 5 July 1948 when Labour health minister Aneurin Bevan turned the 1942 Beveridge Report and the 1934 Labour Party resolution, backed by Somerville Hastings, into a £1.5 billion service that served five million patients in its first year. That model underpins today’s National Care Service proposal, which Andy Burnham and Lucy Powell say could save £15 billion by 2040.

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Story summary

Andy Burnham announced a National Care Service at the Labour conference in Liverpool on Tuesday.
He said the service will be free at point of use.
He said ending the pension triple lock will fund the care system.
He projected £15 billion savings from the change by 2040.
Lucy Powell said Labour’s 2024 manifesto still commits to the triple lock, without confirming any change.

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