Andy Burnham has promised a 'new era of possibility' as he set out his plans for a ten-year mission to raise living standards in his first speech since he effectively became PM in waiting. The ex-Greater Manchester mayor, expected to take over in No10 as soon as July 20, vowed to create a No10 North to redistribute power across the country. He said under his leadership he would take 'power out of the centre' and put it 'in the hands of the people and places who can use it best'.
No10 North to Redistribute Power
Andy Burnham announced a No10 North will be based in Manchester to 'redistribute power and resources across the UK'. The northern branch of the Prime Minister's office will be the 'nerve centre of a rewired Britain'. He said: 'I am going to give Britain the circuit breaker it needs by building a more collaborative politics in Westminster, by taking power out of the centre and putting it in the hands of the people and places who can use it best.' The office will coordinate all parts of government at national and local level to agree a long term economic strategy and help all places set new growth ambitions.
Biggest Council Housing Programme Since Post-War
The PM-in-waiting promised the biggest council housing programme since the post-war period, saying Britain was in a 'housing trap' with a 'ruinous impact' on public finances. He stated: 'The country is in a housing trap. We are forced to chase rents in the private rented sector through the benefits system. When governments try to control these costs by freezing local housing allowance, it makes families homeless and places unfunded pressures on councils.' He added that No10 North will oversee the biggest council house building programme since the post-war period.
Public Control of Utilities
Burnham said his government would set out ten-year plans to bring down the cost of essentials, with No10 North supporting regions in reforming essential utilities. He continued: 'On utilities, we will ensure all parts of the UK are able to take greater public control of essential services like water, housing, energy and transport. Learning from the model that has transformed our bus networks here in Greater Manchester.' He pointed to the Bee Network as a successful example of a publicly-owned transport system.
Cut Welfare Bill Through Devolution
Burnham said he will 'reduce the welfare bill in a way that is fair and lasting' by giving mayors more power over employment support. He said: 'We will answer the call from the mayors, and particularly the mayor of the North East, for devolution of employment support and changing the way we support and sustain people in employment.' He also took Alan Milburn's recent youth unemployment review 'very seriously' and called for less emphasis on university and more on academic and technical education routes.
Business Rates Reform to Revive High Streets
The ex-Manchester mayor vowed to revive struggling high streets, which he said should be 'the new symbol of Britain's renaissance'. He said he will reform business rates to support pubs and local businesses, and his council housing drive would bring 'higher density residential development to our towns' and increase footfall in city centres. He said: 'No10 North will be able to support all places to turn around those towns, their high streets and the local centres.'
Let MPs Be Authentic
Burnham said he wants MPs to be able to be 'authentic representatives' of their constituencies and not fear the whip system. He said: 'I will work hard to change that culture, leading from the front and showing how things can be different, letting MPs be authentic representatives and not using the whip system to create fear or close down debate.' He also wants to build a 'more collaborative approach' with other political parties to create a 'greater sense of unity in Parliament'.
Tax Commitment Consistent with 2024 Manifesto
Burnham said his plans will be 'consistent with the 2024 manifesto', which vows not to increase National Insurance, the basic, higher, or additional rates of Income Tax, or VAT. He also said he will keep to Rachel Reeves's fiscal rules, barring borrowing for day-to-day spending. He concluded: 'All of it backed by the stability that comes from sound public finances, as I said before, and the discipline of our current fiscal rules.'
