Groups linked to Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham have published competing policy proposals, offering a glimpse of potential government direction if either were to succeed Keir Starmer. The Labour Growth Group, allied to Streeting, and the Tribune group of Labour MPs, aligned with Burnham, have outlined visions including sweeping tax cuts, cost of living support, and major government restructuring.
The Labour Growth Group's document, titled 'An Honest Day', calls for a rise in capital gains tax to fund a 2p cut in national insurance. It also proposes greater tax and spending powers for English mayors, creation of a new Department of the Prime Minister, and allowing Thames Water to fail. The report advocates refocusing energy policy from clean power generation to affordability, a shift from Ed Miliband's climate agenda.
The Tribune group's proposals, published in the Renewal journal, include stripping the Treasury of growth responsibility and changing fiscal rules after the next election. Former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, a Burnham ally, suggests reducing council tax and replacing stamp duty with a new property tax. The group argues that Britain's economic settlement has failed to deliver promised growth.
Meanwhile, three progressive thinktanks—IPPR, New Economics Foundation, and Joseph Rowntree Foundation—are expected to publish papers calling for rent caps to reduce living costs. Ministers have previously ruled out this idea, though Chancellor Rachel Reeves reportedly considered a one-year private sector rent freeze. One leftwing policy expert noted that ideas like rent controls are gaining traction, indicating a shift toward a more progressive economic agenda.
Prime Minister Starmer, facing growing pressure to resign, is finalising his second King's Speech, expected to include legislation for closer EU ties, new immigration curbs, the 'Hillsborough law', and other long-promised measures.
