Andy Burnham is facing mounting criticism ahead of announcing his social care proposals next week, with some experts warning families could face a 'death tax' to help fund the reforms. The Prime Minister is expected to unveil a 'care levy' in the coming days, but opponents have already labelled it a multi-billion-pound burden on households.
Cost of universal social care
Critics have suggested that a universal social care system could cost the UK more than £18 billion a year. In May 2026, Mr Burnham reaffirmed his commitment to overhauling adult social care in his first year in office through a 'care levy'. He stated he would not 'flinch' from making difficult decisions on care funding.
However, opponents have urged him not to impose a levy on estates, noting that in 2022–23, fewer than five per cent of estates paid inheritance tax. Reform UK justice spokesman Robert Jenrick said: 'Everyone wants to fix social care, but an £18 billion death tax is emphatically not the answer. People are already reeling from a record tax burden. If Burnham presses ahead it would be a hammer‑blow for millions of people across the country.'
Pensioner impact
Mr Jenrick further warned that the plans could pull '650,000 hard‑working pensioners into paying a death tax each year'. He added: 'If Andy Burnham wants to reheat his failed death tax he should call a general election and see what the British people make of it. He has no mandate to inflict a mammoth tax assault on the country.'
The TaxPayers' Alliance's chief executive, John O'Connell, said: 'Andy Burnham is already flirting with a vast new social care bureaucracy, but has no credible plan to pay for it beyond raiding taxpayers yet again.'
Government response
Downing Street defended the proposals, saying: 'Andy is going to run towards problems that have been neglected, giving people hope again.' A Labour Party spokesman also commented: 'The Tories crashed the economy and left families worse off. They've never apologised and are still making uncosted promises today.'
The debate over social care funding remains heated, with many families anxious about potential new taxes on inheritance. The care levy proposal is expected to be a key topic in the coming weeks as the government seeks to reform a system widely considered to be in crisis.
