GB News halts for Andy Burnham - it
Andy Burnham reportedly will set out a 10-year plan to transform the UK economy as he prepares for 10 Downing Street. GB News presenters Ellie Costello and Stephen Dixon addressed the news during Monday's edition of their breakfast show. In his first major speech since returning to Parliament in the Makerfield byelection, he will lay out plans for "No 10 North", including a radical programme of English devolution. The former Manchester mayor will declare he needs a decade to overhaul Britain and plans to strip power from Whitehall for "good growth in every postcode".
But in a huge blow to the newly-elected MP, who is set to replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader, reports of tax increases have led business groups to warn any calls to ramp up capital gains (CGT) will prove damaging to the UK.
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Addressing "Burnham's Vision For Britain" journalist Cristo Foufas says Burnham isn’t trying to stray from Keir Starmer’s "mistakes" on increased tax and spending, believing he may want to take it even further.
He remarked: "If anything, he wants to go a little bit further. But then again, that leads back to the question, what about an election?"
Because how much can he change that is in the 2024 manifesto. And, of course, he has agreed to stick to Rachel Reeves' fiscal rules.
He can't describe what they are of course, but he has agreed to them."
In another huge blow to Burnham's leadership bid, commentator Cristo explained that "ultimately the British public are losing out" without a general election.
"I mean it's a bit of a poor choice," he told the presenters. "Either the dreadfulness we've had over the last couple of years continuing in limbo and we don't get any changes in two years time."
Cristo added: "Or we get them now without a manifesto that he has been elected to deliver them. Either way the voting public are losing out."
Speaking in Manchester, Burnham will set out a commitment for a "10-year mission" to raise living standards, as well as proposals on youth employment, in order to "lift Britain back up to where it should be".
Burnham's vision would involve mayors being given greater control over social housing, welfare and education - with power over budgets currently spent by Whitehall.
He is expected to unveil plans to drive growth "across every nation and region of the UK" and vow to put devolution at the heart of his programme for government.
Burnham has faced calls from opposition parties to set out his plans, confirm who he intends to appoint to his cabinet and explain whether or not he will deviate from Labour's 2024 manifesto.