Andy Burnham is heading for “disaster” if he resurrects his plans for a “death tax” to fund social care and gives Angela Rayner the task of forcing it through, according to the man who will serve as Chancellor if Nigel Farage becomes prime minister.
Robert Jenrick launched a blazing attack on the incoming PM, who outlined his plans for a National Care Service in the dying days of Gordon Brown’s Government. One funding option considered was a 10% levy on people’s estates when they die.
Mr Jenrick said Mr Burnham has no mandate to introduce a new tax and should call a general election if he wants to “slap” one on the country.
Attempts to win cross-party support on social care collapsed in 2010 when the Tories’ then-Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley accused Labour of wanting a “death tax”. Again, in 2023, Mr Burnham made the case for a “national care levy” under which “the wealthiest would pay the most”.
Mr Jenrick is alarmed at reports former deputy prime minister Ms Rayner – who resigned last year after not paying £40,000 in stamp duty – is on track to become the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. It is reported the new care service could cost up to £18billion a year.
The Reform MP warned against introducing a “death tax”, saying: “It’s a recipe for disaster. If Sunday Express readers can’t remember voting for this, it’s because they didn’t…
“Reform UK will be leading the campaign to stop him reaching for other people’s money again. The last thing our country needs is another massive tax hike on people who work and have worked hard their entire lives.
“Burnham has no mandate for this whatsoever. If he wants to slap a massive tax on the county he should call a general election and see what the British people think. He would be in for a rude awakening.”