Andy Burnham has said it was a “major dereliction of public duty” that politicians had failed for decades to resolve the crisis in social care.
The Prime Minister said the blame lies with “my generation of politicians” who had not got to grips with the problems posed by an ageing society and unfairness in the system.
Mr Burnham, who spoke about the care received by his father, who has Alzheimer’s, said care workers should be “the best-paid people in society, not the worst”.
During his speech, the Prime Minister:
– Said he had accelerated Baroness Louise Casey’s review of social care so it will report next year.
– Promised reforms to improve the “strength and the capability” of the social care workforce.
– Confirmed he would begin cross-party talks with the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, insisting it was the “right thing to do” to try to find a consensus.
The Prime Minister said: “It’s a major dereliction of public duty that Parliament has not faced up to this of all challenges, something so fundamental to life as this.
“It’s shameful, to be honest, that politicians have put point scoring before fixing this issue, but that’s what’s happened.
“It’s created a feeling in Westminster that this is too difficult, and if you take it on, you’re taking on too big a political risk.”
Before his speech, Mr Burnham, Health Secretary Yvette Cooper and Baroness Casey met residents at the care home in London where he delivered his speech.
When Mr Burnham told one he was the Prime Minister, the resident replied: “A new one? They keep changing.”
Read MoreAndy Burnham wants social care to be his legacy – but for him this is personal
Carers should be best paid in society, not worst, says Burnham in social care speech
SNP attacks Burnham for leaving party out of talks on English social care
