Blue on blue: Tory infighting erupts over triple lock pension petition Politics Infighting across Tory circles has broken out after the party published a petition claiming Labour had pledged to “cut” the state pension following its triple lock reforms. At this week’s party conference, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced he would reform the triple lock pension if Labour remained in power after the next election. The state [...]
Global bond sell-off: Headache for Healey as gilt yields top six per cent Markets The yield that the UK government pays on its 30-year government bond rose above six per cent for the first time in this millennium, putting Chancellor John Healey in a collision course with markets. Long-term gilt yields, which determine the size of UK government borrowing costs, skimmed 6.04 per cent in the early hours of [...]
With Brexit on the ballot the next election will be box office Politics Whatever else Andy Burnham’s conference speech achieves, it has certainly opened up some major dividing lines in British politics – and some old wounds. The next election, when it comes, could well have Brexit on the ballot after the PM said he’s open to looking at everything from joining the customs union or entering the [...]
The huge costs facing Andy Burnham – and the financial tightrope he must walk October 1, 2026 Andy Burnham said he didn’t set out to deliver a “tub-thumping conference speech” but it was packed with huge pledges to take control over utilities and expand the state. Maurício Alencar considers just how costly his promises are in the long term – and in the next month. Andy Burnham had all the goodies for [...]
Burnham to ‘keep distance’ from Manchester City case – yet thanks Abu Dhabi September 30, 2026 Andy Burnham has vowed to not interfere in the Premier League’s battle with Manchester City but admitted he hopes it will not harm relations with Abu Dhabi. The Prime Minister said he would not get “directly involved” in the long-running case that has seen the club found guilty of more than 100 charges by an [...]
Savings from triple lock pension reform to take over a decade September 30, 2026 Planned reforms to the triple lock on pensions will need 14 years before delivering savings worth more than £10bn, new government analysis has shown, as the Prime Minister admitted there was a “shortfall” in plans to fund a new National Care Service. At his flagship Labour conference speech on Tuesday, Andy Burnham announced that he [...]
Burnham on Brexit: ‘Customs union, single market – or we could go all the way’ September 30, 2026 Andy Burnham has confirmed he is open to reversing Brexit and could push for Britain to rejoin the European Union after the next election, as he said all options are “on the table” for Britain’s future relationship with the bloc. The Prime Minister said on Wednesday Morning: “There are clearly options that need to be [...]
UK disposable income rises as benefits payouts soar ahead of wages September 30, 2026 The average UK household’s disposable income increased in the second quarter of the year driven by a rise in benefit payouts. Real household disposable income per head – which measures the average spending and saving capacity of Brits – increased by one per cent in the second quarter to £6,577, new figures from the Office [...]
Exclusive: Mayors can use tourist tax to ramp up borrowing, Burnham tells business September 30, 2026 Andy Burnham has looked to justify his new uncapped “tourist tax” to business chiefs by claiming it will allow mayors to ramp up borrowing, City AM understands. In various meetings at Labour’s Business Day, top business groups were told by ministers the so-called overnight stay levy will let mayors take on more debt and use [...]
Burnham sets out his socialist stall and business barely gets a mention September 30, 2026 We were told to expect a speech that would leave no room for doubt about what Andy Burnham believes in, and we got one. There might not be much detail yet about how the Burnham Revolution will unfold but there is no ambiguity, either. The Prime Minister painted a vision of what this country could [...]