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Reform’s Jenrick demands Burnham ‘end the worry’ and rule out an £18bn ‘death tax’ to pay for social care plans – as he brands it ‘insulting’ Farage was snubbed by PM for cross-party talks
Reform UK’s Robert Jenrick has called on Andy Burnham to rule out using an estimated £18 billion inheritance-based levy to fund proposed social-care reforms, describing the possibility as a “death tax”. He also criticised the Prime Minister for excluding Nigel Farage from cross-party discussions on social care, arguing that this was disrespectful to Reform voters and could undermine efforts to build wider political support.
The dispute comes amid pressure to find a long-term funding solution for adult social care, an issue that has repeatedly proved politically difficult because of its potential cost and implications for taxation and inheritance. Jenrick’s intervention frames Reform as opposing new taxes on estates while challenging Burnham and the Government over both the substance of any plan and the process for developing it.
In short
- Jenrick demands Burnham rule out an £18bn inheritance-related social-care levy.
- Reform calls the proposed levy a “death tax”.
- Farage’s exclusion from talks is criticised as insulting.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
An inheritance-based levy could provide a more stable, dedicated source of funding for adult social care, helping meet rising needs and reducing pressure on other public services or household budgets. Supporters may argue that asking estates to contribute is a fair way to share the cost of care, while cross-party talks can help build a durable plan for a difficult, long-term problem.
The case against
An £18 billion inheritance-based levy could impose a substantial burden on families and people who have saved or planned to pass on assets, so ruling it out would give the public greater certainty about their inheritance. Reform can also argue that excluding its leader from cross-party talks leaves out voters represented by the party and weakens the legitimacy of efforts to reach broad agreement.
Explained simply
Social care is support with everyday tasks for people who cannot manage independently, usually because of age, illness or disability. Demand for this care is growing as the population ages, making it increasingly expensive.
Finding long-term funding for social care has proved difficult because any solution requires significant money and would involve choices about taxation or how services are provided. One proposal being discussed is a tax on inherited estates, sometimes called a "death tax", which would affect money and property people leave to families.
Different approaches to funding social care raise important questions about how vulnerable people should be supported and who should pay for that support. The issue involves various perspectives from government and opposition parties, as they hold different views on the best way forward.
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