The Prime Minister has out his commitment to end decades of political drift on social care and fix the system so that it gives people dignity, security and support when they need it most.

Speaking at a care home today, the Prime Minister set out the urgency of the situation and his commitment to bring the political will needed to tackle the challenge at hand, taking on the tough issues that Westminster has ducked for too long.

He stressed the need to put differences aside and come together to find solutions, with an approach focused on problem solving rather than political point scoring.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:

I won’t stand by and leave people paying the price for Westminster’s refusal to deal with the real issues facing our country. 

That’s what’s happened with our broken social care system, which has been left to decline while politicians pass it back and forth.

I just don’t accept that this problem is too big to solve. What we need is a new way of doing politics where we come together, face the challenge head on and build an integrated system that gives people security and dignity.

That’s the commitment I am making to people across this country, and I will give it my all in trying.

Health & Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

Too many older and disabled people are being let down by a broken system, while millions of unpaid carers shoulder an enormous burden every day. When social care fails, it affects people’s independence, families’ lives and communities across the country.

More than 50 years ago, Barbara Castle recognised that health and social care must work hand in hand. Today, with demand for care rising and more people relying on support to live independently, that vision has never been more important.

For decades, governments have struggled to solve this challenge. This government is determined to change that, working across political divides to deliver the lasting reform social care needs and build a system that gives people the dignity, support and security they deserve.

The Prime Minister set out that social care reform was essential not only for those actively needing support, but also for the long-term future of the NHS.

Read the press release in full here.