Unfunded Digital ID will not free up new cash for Burnham’s cost of living plans July 21, 2026 Andy Burnham is facing criticism from his own backbenches after claiming he would fund his cost of living plans by scrapping Labour’s digital ID scheme – despite the policy being unfunded at the last budget. In his first major policy announcement as prime minister, Burnham revealed today he would remove VAT from domestic electricity bills [...]
Four charts revealing scale of Andy Burnham’s economic challenge July 21, 2026 Andy Burnham has harboured ambitions to be Prime Minister for over a decade. But the economy he is inheriting will take the shine off his lofty hopes – just look at these four charts. As he stepped out onto Downing Street for the first time as Prime Minster, Andy Burnham allowed himself to break out [...]
The water industry needs investment, not confiscation July 21, 2026 Renationalising Thames Water will deter the investment Britain needs to grow, says Lord Johnson Andy Burnham enters Downing Street with lofty, and in many ways admirable, ambitions to generate prosperity in the regions. But his plans will come to naught if he cannot first find economic growth – and the outlook is bleak. The IMF [...]
John Healey becomes Chancellor as Andy Burnham names top Cabinet appointments July 20, 2026 John Healey has been appointed Britain’s new Chancellor as Andy Burnham unveils a major shake-up of key Cabinet roles. The Rawmarsh and Conisbrough MP, who had served as defence secretary under Keir Starmer before resigning earlier this year amid a spat over spending commitments, marks a surprise appointment for the top Treasury role, defying Westminster [...]
Romesh Ranganathan makes it hard to defend the BBC July 20, 2026 There is a lot to love about the BBC. But the new Romesh Ranganathan-fronted Corporation love-in will backfire, writes Matt Kenyon I’ve been getting sentimental about the BBC lately. Two different people have separately reminded me of Merlin; I had my first encounter with Louis Theroux’s Neil and Christine Hamilton documentary; I’ve been strangely hypnotised [...]
Borrowing costs jump after Burnham ‘fiscal flexibility’ remarks July 20, 2026 The government’s borrowing costs climbed sharply on Monday afternoon after Andy Burnham said he planned to juice government borrowing by taking advantage of “flexibility” in the current fiscal rules. The new Prime Minister told reporters that his administration would use all potential room within the self-imposed spending straitjacket, which he had promised not to loosen [...]
Burnham’s Thatcherism jibes are just tired socialist talking points July 20, 2026 Oasis caution against looking back in anger, yet the narrative Manchester’s other favourite son rehearsed in his first speech as Prime Minister was based on hackneyed old grievances, says Alys Denby Here we go again. Britain has gone through as many prime ministers in the last 10 years as it did in the previous 37 [...]
Burnham risks ‘big mistake’ on AI with tech department shake-up July 20, 2026 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 [...]
Burnham promises to ‘build new economy’ July 20, 2026 Andy Burnham has said he will “build a new economy” during his tenure as Prime Minister, promising a raft of measures to help households with the cost of living will be announced as soon as tomorrow. Speaking on the steps of Downing Street, the new Labour leader said his government would put “life’s essentials back [...]
Top business group pitches Burnham for role as ‘delivery partner’ July 20, 2026 One of Britain’s top business groups is pitching itself as a delivery partner for Andy Burnham’s economic plans as the incoming Prime Minister pledges to deliver “growth in every postcode”. The British Chambers of Commerce, which has a presence in every region of the UK and represents some 50,000 businesses, is presenting itself as a [...]