Prime Minister Andy Burnham has extended invitations to the leaders of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties for urgent discussions aimed at reforming social care in England. Mr. Burnham, who is expected to deliver a significant speech on the matter on Wednesday, emphasized that finding cross-party consensus is crucial for any lasting reform of the sector. The Prime Minister's office confirmed the invitation to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey.

Social care, which supports vulnerable individuals with daily living needs, has long been a pressing issue in England, with successive governments struggling to find a sustainable funding and operational model. The current system faces immense pressure, and experts warn that without reform, the National Health Service could be further strained. Mr. Burnham has previously stated his commitment to addressing this challenge during his tenure, viewing it as a legacy issue.

Sir Ed Davey has confirmed his attendance at the talks, though he will participate remotely. Kemi Badenoch, however, will not be present, with the Conservatives sending shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew in her stead. A Conservative source criticized the timing and nature of the invitation, suggesting it was "only being done for show." The Prime Minister's office also noted that leaders of Reform UK and the Green Party were not invited to these specific discussions.

The Prime Minister is expected to announce plans to accelerate the work of the Casey Commission, an independent review tasked with developing recommendations for overhauling the social care sector. Baroness Louise Casey, who leads the commission, is due to present her final findings in 2028. The accelerated timeline suggests an increased urgency to gather insights and formulate policy proposals.

In his upcoming speech, Mr. Burnham is not anticipated to detail specific new plans for a social care system. Instead, the focus will be on fostering collaboration and outlining the process for reform. He has called for an end to political point-scoring on social care, advocating for a "problem-solving" approach. "For decades, governments have kicked this issue down the road because they've seen it as too risky, too difficult, and too complicated," Burnham stated ahead of the talks, stressing the need to find common ground.

The Conservative party has previously indicated its stance on social care funding, with Ms. Badenoch writing to the Prime Minister to suggest he rule out tax rises or increased borrowing for reforms. A Conservative spokesperson reiterated this position, stating that any proposed measures must be "fully costed" and avoid reliance on new taxes or borrowing. They also emphasized the need for a clear implementation plan, questioning Labour's approach.

Mr. Burnham's previous attempts to address social care reform date back to 2009 when he proposed a universal system funded by a compulsory levy. This idea, which included allowing individuals to defer payments until after death, was then branded a "death tax" by the Conservative party.

Baroness Casey will be present at the speech to launch a public consultation, allowing citizens to voice their opinions on the future of social care. Health Secretary Yvette Cooper will also join Mr. Burnham for the announcement, underscoring the government's commitment to addressing the issue. The accelerated review and public consultation signal a concerted effort to move towards tangible solutions for the long-standing challenges in social care.