Andy Burnham is facing accusations of planning a £38 billion tax raid to fund a spending spree, according to an analysis by Reform UK. The report claims that the prime minister-in-waiting's pledges would push Labour's total annual tax increases from approximately £66 billion to over £100 billion.
Reform UK's Analysis and Jenrick's Challenge
Reform UK's Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick told The Telegraph: “Andy Burnham has spent 20 years reaching for other people’s money – a death tax on family homes, a graduate tax on young people getting their first pay cheque, a £14 billion raid on savings and investment, and new levies on everything from your parking space at work to your weekend away.” He added that combined with Rachel Reeves’s record, Labour could raise more than £100 billion a year in tax rises, and challenged Burnham to rule out 10 specific taxes by name.
Details of the Proposed Tax Increases
The analysis includes reforming capital gains tax rates and imposing National Insurance on rental income. These measures are part of Burnham's broader policy platform, which remains largely undisclosed as he prepares to enter 10 Downing Street within weeks.
Political Context and Labour's Response
Burnham's team has not yet responded to the claims. The analysis comes amid a leadership transition, with little known about Burnham's detailed policies. Reform UK's accusations aim to pressure Burnham into clarifying his tax plans before assuming office.
