Andy Burnham admits he would have liked more radical first budget
Summary
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said economic uncertainty and the Iran war limited the measures in his first budget, though he would have preferred to offer more support, including higher energy payments. He said he plans welfare reforms aimed at reducing benefit claims among young people, while ruling out cuts that would push people into crisis.Key Facts
- Chancellor John Healey announced a £100 winter energy payment for most households.
- Burnham said the Iran war had raised borrowing costs and reduced the government’s room to act.
- The budget has faced criticism over defence spending, welfare and cost-of-living support.
- Burnham said he wants most people in their 20s not to need benefits, except when disability or other reasons prevent them from working.
- He plans to set out welfare reforms in the coming months, following reports by Alan Milburn and Stephen Timms.
- Burnham said Labour’s 2024 manifesto constrained his options by ruling out major policy changes such as increases to income tax, national insurance or VAT.
- Burnham said he would seek his own mandate and would not have written the current Labour manifesto exactly as it stands.
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