Brown: “The soul of our nation is that we look out for each other”

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

Alongside Andy Burnham’s Guardian article this morning, Gordon Brown has released a podcast on Labour’s specific plans for free social care.

The PM says:

“I’m proud to say that in Britain we don’t just look out for ourselves, we also look after each other. It’s part of the soul of our nation, underpinned by our core values of fairness and responsibility.”

Setting out Labour’s plans, Brown continues:

“Today, Andy Burnham, our health minister, is setting out the route to a national care service that will benefit every family in the country. Alongside our decisions to re-link earnings with the state pension in 2012 this will mean a much better deal for our older people – for those to whom we owe so much.

“Reform will come in three stages; each affordable, each fairer and each offering more protection to your homes and your savings.

“We will start with a radical overhaul of care in the home – helping more of our old people cope longer at home and protecting those of you with the greatest needs from charges and fees for care in your own homes.

“Then we will build up the care service, so that people who have been in care homes for more than two years will get their care for free, while also removing the postcode lottery of provision that exists today.

“And then these reforms will pave the way towards the introduction of a comprehensive national care service available to all – whoever you are, wherever you live, whatever your circumstances.

“Our plans will realise for the first time a vision of personalised care; providing not just physical support but also peace of mind.

“These are tough decisions to take in times of economic restraint. But with a rapidly ageing society the costs of inaction are far greater than the costs of reform. And this is an issue about the future of Britain and the future of our society from which we must not hide. In the national interest we will seek consensus on the right way forward.

“So today sees a new chapter opening in the proud history of our public services – founded, as ever, on our enduring belief in fairness and responsibility.”

Listen to the podcast here.