Burnham Pledges NHS-Style Social Care, Dodges Heathrow Runway Question

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced his intention to contest the next general election with a commitment to overhauling the social care system, proposing a universal service free at the point of use for all in England. This ambitious plan, which Burnham acknowledges will require taxpayer funding, aims to "rip the plaster off" and fundamentally transform care provision.

Meanwhile, Burnham has sidestepped questions regarding the proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport. The expansion project is now facing a significant delay, with Heathrow Airport Limited suggesting the original 2035 operational target is unachievable. The airport operator anticipates securing planning permission by 2029 and aims for the runway to be operational "within a decade," pushing the opening date to 2039. This delay adds further uncertainty to the £33 billion project.