Whitehall officials draw up 1.8pc income levy to bankroll Andy Burnham’s social care plan. The Prime Minister has spoken repeatedly of the strain social care places on the NHS, warning that hospitals risk being overwhelmed by patients who cannot be discharged for lack of care provision at home. Robert Jenrick has gone further, questioning whether Mr Burnham even has the mandate to revive the kind of death-tax-style levy he first floated back in 2010. Birmingham City Council, England’s largest local authority, announced £148 million of cuts earlier this year, including £43 million stripped from adult social care. Downing Street and the Department for Health and Social Care have been asked for comment.