UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham used his first statement to the House of Commons to argue that Britain’s economic and social challenges are rooted in decades of policy decisions, setting out his government’s vision for devolution, regeneration and economic growth.
Burnham argued that political centralisation, privatisation, deindustrialisation, austerity and Brexit had contributed to current challenges, adding that Brexit “compounded the damage, ushering in a decade of low growth and stalled regeneration.”
Calling for what he described as an honest assessment of the country’s direction, Burnham said, “Change begins with honesty,” before pledging that his government would be “relentless in giving people and places what they were promised 10 years ago, ownership and control,” arguing that greater local decision-making would underpin future change and economic growth.
The statement also placed Burnham’s first six weeks in office within a broader programme for government. He highlighted measures already introduced, including removing VAT from household electricity bills, restoring the £2 bus fare cap for 2027, reducing business rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues, and establishing Number 10 North to drive devolution and regional economic policy.
He reaffirmed support for Ukraine, pledged to attend COP31 in Türkiye, outlined changes to prison policy, including excluding additional serious offences from early release, and committed to expanding devolution, strengthening public control over key services and publishing a 10-year plan for economic growth centred on what he described as “good growth in every postcode”.
ℹ️ The Guardian
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