Burnham Does Not Rule Out Wealth Tax
Andy Burnham has not excluded the possibility of implementing a wealth tax, indicating that his forthcoming government may eventually need to "ask for a little more" in taxation.
Burnham, who is set to become prime minister on Monday, was questioned about the consideration of a wealth tax during an interview with former footballer and Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker.
The Labour MP stated he would take time to assess the state of public finances and emphasized his priority on "bringing people together" rather than fostering "new divisions."
"I'm not going rule things out right now," Burnham said. "I do believe we need a greater sense of fairness."
The former Greater Manchester mayor acknowledged that "decisions to be taken in time" would be "going to be difficult."
"I'm not going to shy away from that," Burnham said. "You know, we are going to have to work quite hard to make sure, you know, we can pay our way.
"And at some point that might be having to ask for a little more. But, you know, those decisions are not for now. They're for another day."
Since declaring his intention to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister following his by-election victory in Makerfield last month, Burnham has not detailed specific tax policies he would pursue.
He has offered some indications in interviews, including one with LBC, where he mentioned there was "some room" for tax adjustments.
Burnham proposed that business rates on warehouses could be increased to finance tax reductions for pubs and certain high-street businesses.
However, the Makerfield MP affirmed his commitment to Labour's manifesto pledges not to raise VAT, income tax, or national insurance in the 2024 general election manifesto.
Given the limited options for increasing revenue outside these manifesto commitments, some Labour MPs on the party's left, economists, and campaigners have advocated for a wealth tax.
One such proposal, supported by organisations including Oxfam and Tax Justice UK, suggests a 2% levy on assets exceeding £10 million.
The Green Party of England and Wales endorses a similar policy: a wealth tax of 1% annually on assets above £10 million and 2% on assets exceeding £1 billion.
Reform UK's Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick commented on Burnham's interview with Lineker, stating that Burnham had acknowledged "people will have to pay more in tax."
"He should rule out the ten taxes - £3,450 for every family - he's previously supported but has no mandate for," Jenrick wrote in a post on X.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch remarked that Burnham, despite not yet being prime minister, "he's already talking about raising your taxes again."
"We are heading for another summer of chaos with Labour obsessing about who they can tax to pay for more benefits," Badenoch said.
Dealing with Trump
In the interview with Lineker, Burnham was also asked about his approach to dealing with US President Donald Trump.
Burnham said he would "meet him where he's at."
"I like to think I've got some personality myself and I'll just, you know, I'll deal with him very upfront in the same way," Burnham said. "I think he likes people to deal with him."
Burnham reiterated his criticism of Labour's initial response to the war in Gaza, stating that his party "got it wrong."
He condemned the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel and expressed "real concerns about the destruction of Gaza" since then.
Burnham stated it was "possible to criticise both things, rather than just pick a side."
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