UK’s Kemi Badenoch Urges Cross-Party Social Care Reform, Opposes Tax Hikes

UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called for cross-party cooperation on social care reform while insisting that any new funding model must not result in higher taxes or increased government borrowing.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and shared on her official X page on Monday, Badenoch said the Conservatives were willing to work with the government on reforming the social care system, provided it met two key conditions.

“I read that you are preparing to make an announcement on social care – a hugely important issue for so many people and one that matters a lot to me,” she wrote.

Badenoch acknowledged the challenges of reforming the sector, noting that adult social care spending already stands at £35 billion annually and is expected to increase as Britain’s population ages.

She said the Conservative Party would support only a plan that protects those who have saved throughout their lives and is funded through reductions in existing government spending rather than tax increases or additional borrowing.

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“The Conservatives are happy to work with you and other parties on reforming social care. But we will only support a solution that abides by two core principles,” she wrote.

“First, any solution to the issues around social care must also be fair to those who have made provisions and saved up over the course of their lives.”

“Second, the money must be found by reducing current spending. You must rule out any tax rises, or increased borrowing that will ultimately fall on the next generation to pay for.”

Badenoch argued that public spending, taxation and borrowing under the Labour government had already risen significantly compared with previous Conservative plans.

She warned that further tax increases to finance social care would place additional pressure on households and businesses already grappling with the cost-of-living crisis.

“With businesses closing or relocating, youth unemployment higher than in the eurozone, and the cost of living already causing real hardship for many people, the last thing Britain needs is further tax increases to pay for social care,” she said.

The Conservative leader concluded by expressing hope that both parties could reach common ground on what she described as a vital national issue.

“I hope we can find common ground on this and I look forward to working with you on this vital issue,” Badenoch added.