Why Andy Burnham’s pledge to ‘fix’ social care in England matters in Scotland
- Written by: Sara Redmond — Chief Officer
- Published: 30th July 2026
Sara Redmond, ALLIANCE Chief Officer, on why the Scottish Government and parties must seize the opportunity for change.
Speaking after the new Prime Minster Andy Burnham’s statement on social care reform, Sara Redmond, Chief Officer at the ALLIANCE, said:
“Social care must be a national priority, not just in England, but across the UK. For too long it’s been treated as an issue for another day. The people who access social care, deliver it, and support loved ones cannot afford for reform to keep being pushed further down the political agenda.
“And so, we welcome Andy Burnham’s call for urgent social care reform. Although social care is a devolved matter, how the UK Government funds and delivers care in England will have significant knock-on effects in Scotland.
“We welcome the recognition that social care requires long-term political commitment and a focus on solutions rather than continued delay. The momentum now building around social care elsewhere in the UK should be reflected in Scotland through meaningful action and long-term commitment to reform.
“Every day, social care enables people to live independently, participate in their communities and live the lives they choose. Yet too many people continue to face barriers to access the support they need, often in breach of their human rights.
“We consistently hear about the changes needed to create a fairer, more effective social care system through our engagement with members across Scotland, including people who draw on support, unpaid carers, providers and third sector organisations.
“The ALLIANCE calls on the Scottish Government and parties across the Scottish Parliament to seize this opportunity and deliver progress on the priorities our members have identified. This includes:
- Abolishing non-residential care charges so support is based on need, not ability to pay;
- Increasing investment in social care to address unmet need, support sustainable services and providers, and improve workforce conditions, including delivering a minimum of £15 per hour for care workers.
- Strengthening national oversight and scrutiny so access to good social care does not depend on where someone lives; and
- Reforming commissioning and procurement so support is designed around people’s needs, experiences and outcomes not the lowest-cost contracts.
“We also urge the UK Government to amend the Scotland Act to remove the limitations on the Scottish Parliament’s power to fully incorporate human rights laws in devolved areas, ensuring that social care provision is truly human rights based and accountable.
“Social care is not a cost to be managed. It is an investment in people, communities and Scotland’s social and economic wellbeing, creating value for individuals, families and society.”
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