Burnham told to deliver 10 per cent hospitality VAT after backing tax cut Politics More than 800 hospitality businesses have called on Andy Burnham to make good on his support for lower VAT, piling pressure on the prime minister ahead of next month’s Budget. Pub giants, restaurant chains, hotels and some of Britain’s best-known chefs have signed an open letter demanding the government cut hospitality VAT from 20 per [...]
Burnham says the government is central to his ‘triple helix’ plan for growth Politics Andy Burnham has said the state will be central to his “theory of growth” in his first statement in the House of Commons as Prime Minister. Addressing MPs, Burnham said his ideas for the UK economy centres on a “triple helix approach to economic development” in which universities, businesses and the government foster economic growth. The ‘triple [...]
Burnham risks ‘big mistake’ on AI with tech department shake-up Tech Andy Burnham has been warned that breaking up the government department behind Britain’s artificial intelligence strategy could unsettle global investors and damage the country’s standing as a technology hub. The incoming prime minister is reportedly considering abolishing the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and splitting its responsibilities between the Department for Business and [...]
The Debate: Should Britain set up a No 10 North? July 8, 2026 Is Andy Burnham's vision for a Number 10 North visionary or gimmicky? We hear both sides in this week's Debate.
Labour defends Burnham’s ‘very powerful’ No 10 North plans July 5, 2026 Andy Burnham’s proposed ‘No 10 North’ would lead to a “very powerful reorganisation of government”, deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell has said. Her words come as ministers push ahead with one of the biggest overhauls of English local government in decades before Burnham is expected to enter Downing Street later this month, with Labour arguing [...]
Starmer will resign, Trump says June 21, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce his resignation as early as Monday, according to media reports and President Trump, after Andy Burnham’s victory in Makerfield paved the way for his ascent to Downing Street. Starmer will set out timings for his exit in a speech on Monday, The Observer newspaper reported, after his grip [...]
‘No authority’: Starmer under pressure to quit after Burnham wins in Makerfield June 20, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer is facing fresh calls to quit from his own cabinet and a Labour peer after Andy Burnham’s triumph at the Makerfield by-election. Lord Falconer, a former justice secretary under Tony Blair, became the latest Labour figure to call for the Prime Minister to step down, saying he has “absolutely no authority”. Burnham’s [...]
Andy Burnham confirms Westminster run as Wes Streeting resigns from government May 14, 2026 Andy Burnham has declared his intention to stand in a by-election after a sitting Labour MP quit to make way for him. The current Mayor of Manchester will seek permission from Labour’s ruling body to stand in the Makerfield constituency after Josh Simons announced he would vacate the seat. In a statement, Burnham said: “Millions [...]
Starmer to nationalise British Steel in bid to save premiership May 11, 2026 Keir Starmer has promised to nationalise British Steel and prioritise closer ties with the European Union in a make or break speech to save his premiership after a bruising set of local election results. Speaking after a weekend of frenzied speculation on his future in Number 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister rejected calls for [...]
Robbins: Starmer’s team was ‘dismissive’ about Mandelson vetting April 21, 2026 Former Foreign Office permanent secretary Sir Olly Robbins has criticised Number 10’s “dismissive attitude” to security vetting for Lord Peter Mandelson, who accessed classified files before Robbins, who was recently sacked from his key civil service post, told the Foreign Affairs Committee that there was “constant pressure” on the Foreign Office to give Mandelson clearance [...]