Burnham offers Britain an 'honest conversation' on tackling problems
EWU•Prime Minister Andy Burnham will use his first Labour Party conference speech to discuss trade-offs in tackling issues including social care and utility control. He has faced pressure to provide more detailed plans, and said Sunday that social care proposals would come at the next national election, due by mid-2029.
1. Speech on trade-offs
Burnham will tell Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool that tackling Britain’s deepest problems requires an “honest conversation” about trade-offs. He will say that “politics as usual” has taken Britain backwards and that hope comes from saying things politicians usually avoid.
2. Plans and pressure
Burnham, who replaced Keir Starmer as prime minister in July, has faced pressure to provide detailed government plans beyond initial measures including capping bus fares and removing VAT from electricity bills. Businesses have said his ambitions on social care, public ownership of some utilities and job creation lack detail.
3. Social care timeline
On Sunday, Burnham said he would present plans to address social care at the next national election, due by mid-2029. His team said the conference speech would include policies and commitments, including more detail on greater public control of energy, water and housing.
