Andy Burnham has proposed making social care in England free at the point of use for everyone who qualifies for support.

He said the system would follow NHS-style principles, with everyone contributing and everyone covered, while acknowledging that tax increases could be considered.

Burnham has asked Baroness Casey to accelerate her review of social care and provide advice on how the system could be implemented.

He said the government would need to work carefully to avoid placing additional pressure on public finances, while arguing that the current system already creates significant costs for families and the NHS, the BBC has reported.

Burnham plans to develop a detailed proposal and put it to voters at the next general election, where the public would decide whether to support the plan.