UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced that social care reform will be put to the public through a referendum at the next general election. This follows Labour’s manifesto pledges to avoid increasing income tax, national insurance, or VAT. Burnham emphasized that he would create a clear plan for a national care service, inspired by the principles of the National Health Service (NHS), and seek public approval before introducing the system in the next parliament. Burnham criticized the current social care system, comparing it to "unfair as American healthcare," where vulnerable individuals often face severe financial strain. Many are forced to use personal savings or even lose their homes to cover care costs, which can amount to tens of thousands of pounds. He warned that without reform, the financial burden could eventually harm the NHS itself. The proposed reforms face challenges due to rising energy prices. Oil prices are 154 per cent higher than they were before the Iran conflict, and gas prices have increased by 43 per cent since the start of the war involving Donald Trump. These increases have created economic constraints for Chancellor John Healey, who must manage the budget while dealing with rising defense spending and ongoing uncertainty. Burnham acknowledged the difficulty of implementing reforms before the next election, noting that Labour’s refusal to raise taxes limits immediate action. He is scheduled to present his vision for social care reform at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool. Baroness Louise Casey’s review is expected to provide specific details to help shape the reforms.