Ed Davey and Paul Hartshorn, Parliamentary Spokesperson call on PM Burnham to end the “social care catastrophe” as 10,025 older residents in Leicestershire denied care last year

The Liberal Democrats have set out three tests for Burnham on social care reforms. It follows the party leader making an open offer to the Labour leader to work together across party lines on the issue. 

The tests come as new analysis by the party shows that 10,025 older people in Leicestershire were denied care in 2024/25, along with 2925 disabled working age adults. 

Meanwhile, House of Commons Library analysis commissioned by the party shows that across the country there has been an eyewatering rise in family care costs, with individual contributions to local authority social care rising 60% between 2020/21 and 2024/25, from £2.93bn to £4.68bn. 

The Liberal Democrat tests for reforms to end the social care crisis are: 

1. Put family carers front and centre with guaranteed rights for every carer, including respite care and a full replacement of the broken carers allowance so that families can afford to care. 

2. A universal safety net of care, including free personal care. 

3. Protect people from catastrophic costs so no family sees their finances devastated by care needs.

There has been a major knock on effect on the NHS from the crisis, with record numbers now stuck in hospital who are medically fit to be discharged. Party analysis has found that a record 2.46m hospital bed days have been lost to delayed discharges so far in 2026, higher than the equivalent period for any previous year. 

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesperson, Paul Hartshorn said: 

“Out speaking to local people, it is heartbreaking to meet families who have lost everything to care costs, or who have been left isolated and unsupported without the care they need.

“The crisis in social care is a millstone round the neck of our community. It’s clobbering families in South Leicestershire, squeezing budgets for our local council services and undermining our NHS. Andy Burnham must work with local government and the NHS to finally deliver change. 

“People in South Leicestershire deserve better. From pensioners left bedbound to life savings being spent on dementia care, our system better resembles the 1920s than the 2020s. By guaranteeing a minimum level of care, protecting families from crippling costs and supporting family carers we can end this appalling crisis.”