Burnham to Unveil 'No 10 North' and Devolution Plans
Andy Burnham is set to deliver a significant policy speech later today, marking his first major address since launching his campaign to become prime minister. Speaking in Manchester, Burnham will introduce plans for a "No 10 North," a body aimed at promoting growth "across every nation and region of the UK." He intends to place devolution at the core of his government agenda.
Burnham will outline a "10-year mission" focused on raising living standards, alongside proposals targeting youth employment, with the goal to "lift Britain back up to where it should be."
Should no other Labour MP enter the leadership contest, Burnham is anticipated to assume the role of prime minister on 20 July.
Calls for Clarity on Leadership and Policy
Opposition parties have urged Burnham to clarify his plans, including cabinet appointments and whether he will diverge from Labour's 2024 manifesto commitments.
In his speech on Monday, Burnham is expected to emphasize the necessity for the government to "give Britain the circuit-breaker it needs," while addressing the issue of low public trust in politics.
He will advocate for decentralizing decision-making, stating it must be "pushed to regions and local communities," and pledge to ensure "good growth in every postcode."
Fiscal Policy and Economic Approach
Burnham has indicated his intention to adhere to the fiscal rules established by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, whom he is expected to replace if he becomes prime minister. These rules require that day-to-day government expenditures be covered by tax revenues rather than borrowing, and include a commitment to reduce debt as a proportion of national income by the end of the current parliament in 2029-30.
Given budgetary pressures and high borrowing costs, Burnham or any incoming prime minister will face limited financial flexibility to implement new policies.
At a conference in London on 25 June, Reeves encouraged Burnham to maintain her economic strategy, noting it was "beginning to bear fruit," and supported his stance on "fiscal devolution."
However, some Labour MPs from the party's left wing have called for relaxing Reeves's self-imposed fiscal constraints to enable increased spending.
Burnham is reportedly considering Ed Miliband, David Miliband, Wes Streeting, or Shabana Mahmood as potential successors to Reeves.
Defence Spending and Investment Plan
Burnham has faced pressure to commit to higher defence spending. The government is scheduled to publish its defence investment plan (DIP) before a new prime minister takes office, outlining a multi-billion-pound funding increase.
On Sunday, former Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin urged Burnham to pledge raising defence investment to 3.5% of GDP by 2035 if he becomes prime minister.
"It is [to] keep our country safe, acknowledge that you have this extraordinary responsibility - so you're almost like a wartime prime minister at the moment. And that means you need to invest in what really keeps us safe," Radakin told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme.
Reactions from Political Figures
In response to Burnham's upcoming speech, Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake criticized the proposal, stating:
"Burnham's big idea is to shuffle power between politicians rather than make welfare reforms, cut taxes or fund the defence our country desperately needs. Just more devolution, more committees, more process. It's the politics of distraction from a Labour Party that is deliberately avoiding the questions that actually matter."
A Reform UK spokesperson described previews of the speech as "a lot of words for no actual concrete changes," adding:
"It's clear that Burnham has taken a leaf out of Starmer's book - all talk, no action."
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey cautioned that Burnham has only a "very short window to turn this government around," noting the public's impatience for change.
"People have heard this sort of talk before only to be badly let down because nothing changes – Burnham mustn't repeat that mistake," he said.
