Andy Burnham offers Britain an 'honest conversation' on tackling problems
EWU•Prime Minister Andy Burnham will tell Britain he plans to address difficult issues including social care and utility control, while acknowledging trade-offs. He said he wants energy costs in line with other European nations within 10 years and will present social care plans by the next national election, due by mid-2029.
1. A call for honesty
In his first Labour Party conference speech as prime minister, Andy Burnham will call for an “honest conversation” about tackling Britain’s problems and the trade-offs involved. He will say that “politics as usual” has taken the country backwards and that some decisions might not be popular.
2. Policy and constraints
Burnham has faced pressure to provide more detail on plans for social care, utilities and jobs. His government is constrained by its existing agenda, strained public finances and debt markets sensitive to tax rises; on Tuesday, Britain paid its highest 10-year borrowing cost since 1999 to sell new debt, as yields rose globally.
3. Energy and social care
Burnham said he would create the Great British Grid, a publicly owned body intended to speed grid connections, and aims to bring energy costs in line with other European nations within 10 years. He said he would present social care plans at the next national election, due by mid-2029. Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell said the government was committed to the pensions triple lock during this parliament but did not rule out future changes.
