Kemi Badenoch, Conservative Party leader, has written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urging him to 'rule out any tax rises or increased borrowing' to fund social care reform.

In a letter to Andy Burnham, Labour leader, she emphasized that any reform must be funded by reducing current spending and not raising taxes, while ensuring fairness to those who have saved for their future.

Badenoch highlighted concerns about the economic climate, including business closures, youth unemployment, and cost-of-living pressures, arguing that further tax increases would exacerbate hardship.

Burnham is set to address social care, youth unemployment, and devolution in a speech, marking part of his plan to tackle 'neglected problems'.

The debate reflects ongoing political tensions over funding mechanisms for social care, with previous leaders like Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer also pledging reforms.Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called for cross-party consensus, while Burnham expressed willingness to collaborate.The discussion underscores the complexity of balancing fiscal responsibility with social welfare needs in the UK.