Tax rises and increased government borrowing now look almost inevitable under Andy Burnham, with the PM telling the BBC that the NHS will “collapse” unless social care is reformed, while admitting he cannot put a timeline on the fix. Public borrowing hit £23.3 bln in May alone, up more than 30% year on year. “Burnham inherited a maxed-out credit card and he’s still tapping it,” added the deVere chief executive. “Households should brace for a squeeze on income tax thresholds, dividends, capital gains and pensions relief,” he said. The borrowing route carries its own cost, he warned, one already showing up on mortgage statements rather than tax bills.