Andy Burnham has confirmed he wants to reform business rates to support pubs and high street businesses without taking risks with public finances, as he positions himself to become Labour leader and Prime Minister.
10-Year Mission to Change Living Standards
Speaking in a major speech on Monday, Burnham outlined his 10-year mission to improve living standards, with business rates reform at its core. 'Rather than being a marker of decline, shouldn't we make our high streets the new symbol of Britain's renaissance,' he said.
Burnham acknowledged that people 'can't wait forever for change' and pledged to do 'my very best to deliver it and whilst not taking risks with the public finances.' He added, 'I will seek to give Britain some breathing space as soon as I can.'
Political Context and Reaction
The speech came a week after Sir Keir Starmer resigned, with Burnham now likely to go unchallenged and become Prime Minister in mid-July. He promised 'good growth in every postcode, and hope in every heart.'
Sky News political correspondent Amanda Akass described the speech as 'very confident, very passionate' but noted 'a bit of cynicism' given Burnham's long tenure as a Westminster minister. She reported that Burnham said he was 'troubled' by Westminster being 'a very unhappy, more fractured place than it has been previously.'
Burnham wants MPs to be 'authentic,' which Akass said could be 'very difficult for him to enact.'
