Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham declared “I have a plan” as he was crowned Labour leader on Friday, vowing to “build a new politics” and unite behind a strong Labour movement. He praised Keir Starmer for rebuilding the party after its 2019 defeat. His speech centered on changing political culture in Westminster and distributing power to regions. Here are his 12 key policies.
1. No10 North
Burnham has announced a No10 North based in Manchester to “redistribute power and resources across the UK.” The northern branch of the PM’s office will be the “nerve centre of a rewired Britain,” led by Caroline Simpson, chief executive of the Greater Manchester combined authority. Burnham said: “No10 North will be the conduit through which we redistribute power and resources across the UK.”
2. Bus Fares and Trains
Burnham wants to support young people with bus ticket costs. In an Instagram video, he said: “One thing I did in Greater Manchester was introduce a free bus pass for 16 to 18 year olds… I’m going to look to see if there’s anything we can do to support young people with the cost of bus travel going forward.”
3. Social Care
Burnham called for government to “have the courage to fix the big things… like social care.” He proposed bringing forward the Casey review into social care to 2026 (currently due in 2028). As Health Secretary in 2009, he proposed a National Care Service. He believes inheritance tax should be replaced with a “national care levy” to fund the system.
4. Social Media Ban
Burnham will press ahead with a social media ban for under-16s, announced by Starmer, seeing it as a “critical first step” to keeping children safe online. He has spoken to Technology Secretary Liz Kendall about online safety plans. A spokeswoman said: “He knows this ban is a critical first step… to make sure it’s enforced in full, and delivered with the urgency this issue demands.”
5. New AI Strategy
Burnham’s team believes the current AI strategy is too centered on the US and wants British companies and workers prioritized. Sources told the FT he wants AI to serve the British public instead of US tech giants. He is also eyeing ditching Palantir from the NHS; Palantir won a £330 million contract with NHS England for its federated data platform.
6. Education
Burnham is looking at rolling out the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) nationwide, an alternative to university valuing technical education. In an Instagram video, he said: “We need to do more for young people who want technical qualifications… I’d like a guarantee of a 45-day work placement for every young person who wants one, alongside more apprenticeships.” He also wants to ease the student loans crisis.
7. Welfare
Burnham is monitoring research on the rising number of ‘Neets’ (not in education, employment, or training), which now exceeds one million 16-24 year olds. He supports vocational training to address the crisis but also indicated targeted action to reduce the welfare bill. He told The Times: “I am not squeamish about saying that the plan would be to reduce the welfare bill. Not at all.”
8. Housing
Burnham wants the biggest programme of council house building since WWII. He may increase the 60% target for social rent homes under the existing £39 billion affordable housing programme. Raising the target could impact the government’s 1.5 million home target by 2029, though the target is already off track.
9. Justice
Burnham is considering exempting child sex offenders from prison sentencing reforms that allow early release. Under the Sentencing Act, some violent and sexual offenders become eligible for release halfway through sentences. Staff are looking into banning child sex offenders from the scheme.
10. Immigration
Burnham will not change course on Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s hardline reforms, including doubling the time migrants wait for indefinite leave to remain. Nearly 80 Labour MPs signed a letter calling for change. Burnham admitted the government needs to get the “balance right” and reports suggest plans could be watered down.
11. Wealth Tax
Burnham refused to rule out a wealth tax, calling for a “greater sense of fairness.” He admitted people might be asked for a “little more” in tax. He has previously expressed interest in taxing speculative landlords and warehouses of firms like Amazon. Asked about a wealth tax, he said: “I’m not going to rule things out right now.”
12. Gaza
Burnham said the UK needs further sanctions on those behind violence in Gaza and a potential ban on trade with illegal settlements. He apologized for Labour’s initial response, saying: “I have been absolutely appalled by what I’ve seen… There is increasing evidence that war crimes appear to have been committed.”
