Prime Minister Andy Burnham has issued a stark warning that the National Health Service (NHS) will collapse without substantial reform of the social care system. In his first major interview since taking office, Burnham emphasized the critical link between social care and the sustainability of the NHS, stating the health service is struggling under the weight of individuals who could be supported through social care.

Burnham, who previously proposed a universal social care system in England in 2009 as health secretary, expressed his commitment to addressing the long-standing issues plaguing the sector. He indicated that while he wants to see significant changes during his premiership, he could not provide a specific timeline for implementing a new system.

"If the government does not reform social care, the NHS would collapse under the weight of trying to care for people who've really not needed to end up in the NHS system," Burnham told the BBC. He acknowledged the complexity of the issue, which has challenged successive governments, but vowed to "put whatever political capital I have into fixing broken social care."

The Prime Minister is expected to make a speech on adult social care this week. While plans for a completely new system are not anticipated, sources indicate he will announce an acceleration of the Casey Commission's independent review, which is examining potential solutions. Baroness Louise Casey's final recommendations are currently due in 2028, but Burnham aims to bring this timeline forward.

Adult social care in England provides support for individuals to live more independently, encompassing personal care and household tasks. Unlike the NHS, it is not free at the point of use, with eligibility for council assistance dependent on an individual's savings. Those with over £23,250 in savings are generally not entitled to help with care costs from their local authority.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has written to the Prime Minister, urging him to rule out tax increases or further borrowing to fund social care reform. She stressed that any solution must also be equitable for those who have saved throughout their lives to provide for their own care needs.

In the same interview, Burnham also touched upon welfare reform, suggesting that conditions for receiving benefits could be tightened. He believes that with the right support, many individuals can transition into work, and the government needs to "get serious about getting the welfare bill down."

The challenge of social care reform has been a persistent political issue. Notably, two years prior, the Labour party faced criticism after abandoning plans for an £86,000 cap on lifetime social care costs in England, highlighting the difficulty in finding a universally accepted and financially viable solution.