Andy Burnham has promised to unveil his 10-year plan to transform Britain before Christmas, pledging a decade-long scheme to reverse "40 years of neoliberalism" and lift the country back to where it should be.
The Prime Minister, who stepped into Downing Street with this commitment, had previously suggested the plan could be delayed until the New Year. He has now promised it sooner to give the country "stability" after 14 years of Conservative government.
PMQs Exchange with Kemi Badenoch
Challenged by Kemi Badenoch at Prime Minister's Questions on when the plan would be published, Mr Burnham said: "I did walk up Downing Street promising a 10-year plan for this country, because I am determined to give this country the stability that they failed to provide."
He added: "I am determined to give the leadership that this country needs, and I can say to her, we will present our plan for Britain to this House before it rises for the Christmas recess."
Mr Burnham continued: "We are facing the big issues, and we will lay that out in the 10-year plan before this country. This country was going backwards under the party opposite. We are leading it forward. We are bringing people back together. We are giving people hope. She is voting against the help that we've just announced in the budget. When is she going to directly address the cost of living crisis in this house?"
Blueprint for Reform
Mr Burnham has billed the plan as his defining blueprint for what he wants to achieve, including establishing a national care service, slashing bills, and bringing utilities under public control.
The plan is reportedly being written by former Keir Starmer aide Peter Hyman, though officials insist it will be the Prime Minister himself who makes the key decisions.
Budget Defence and Opposition Criticism
The session also saw Mr Burnham criticise the Tory leader over her objections to the budget and Conservative opposition to tax cuts. He said: "Can I just say she mentions the budget, the most popular budget I have to say for a number of years, that helped people with the cost of living crisis. And can she explain, can she explain why they voted against a bank levy that will deliver a council tax cut for 20 million households in January?"
Last week, Mr Burnham told The Economist the plan would be even more radical than people think. He said: "I will lay out my very clear vision for Britain, and it will be substantial, and it will also be, in my view, compelling because I am weaving the different threads together."
