Burnham promises to ease cost of living pressures if he becomes prime minister
Makerfield MP said he would consider reducing business rates as part of a package that could also include freeze on private rentsAndy Burnham promised to ease the cost of living if
By The Guardian
Burnham promises to ease cost of living pressures if he becomes prime minister. The Makerfield MP, Andy Burnham, outlined a series of measures in his first interview since returning to parliament, aiming to reduce the financial strain on citizens across the UK.
Speaking to LBC, Burnham said that if he ascends to Downing Street later this month, as expected, he would look at cutting business rates for certain high street businesses, including pubs and music venues, by 20 per cent. This reduction would be funded by increasing taxes on out-of-town warehouses used by major online retailers such as Amazon.
Burnham also proposed a package that could include a freeze on private rents, though critics note that such a move might discourage landlords from staying in the market and could exacerbate housing shortages. He pledged to bring down water and energy costs by de-privatising the relevant companies, echoing his earlier victory speech where he called for lower utility bills and rail fares to improve affordability for ordinary people.
In addition, he announced plans to make bus travel free for 16- to 18-year-olds, a policy that aligns with his broader vision of expanding access to education and work placements for young people. The former Greater Manchester mayor indicated he has not yet selected a chancellor but reaffirmed Labour’s commitment to its manifesto, including no increase in income tax, VAT, or National Insurance rates.
He also stated he would adhere to the economic guidelines set by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, meaning he would not allow a significant rise in borrowing. Burnham has long supported a land value tax, an annual levy based solely on land value, and has suggested replacing inheritance tax with a “national care levy” to ensure free care for all, with the wealthiest contributing the most.
During the by-election campaign, Burnham’s team circulated a policy document promising a 20 per cent cut in business rates for pubs and music venues, funded through higher taxes on out-of-town warehouses used by online retailers like Amazon. He also aims to raise the threshold for business rates, exempting many small high street shops from paying altogether.
In his speech following his Makerfield victory, he expressed his desire for an education system that is not solely university-focused but rather offers equal opportunities for both academic and technical education. He also emphasized the importance of securing more work placements for individuals aged 16 to 18 and ensuring guarantees for apprenticeships.
In an appearance on BBC Newsnight, Burnham indicated his intention to reevaluate the increase in National Insurance contributions imposed on employers by Rachel Reeves in the 2024 Budget. He has often voiced his support for a land value tax (LVT)—an annual levy based solely on land value, excluding any structures or improvements.
Burnham has consistently supported a land value tax and has suggested replacing inheritance tax with a “national care levy” to ensure free care for all, with the wealthiest contributing the most. Burnham’s proposals suggest he aims to alleviate the financial strain on citizens if he ascends to the role of prime minister.
He has pledged to adhere to the economic guidelines established by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, indicating that if he ascended to the role of prime minister, he would not permit a significant increase in borrowing. Additionally, he reaffirmed Labour’s commitment to its manifesto, promising not to raise the principal rates of income tax, VAT, or National Insurance, which would constrain his capacity to generate substantial tax revenue.
Burnham has often suggested replacing inheritance tax with a "national care levy," which he articulated in a 2023 speech, asserting that this would ensure "the care provided is free" and that "everyone would contribute, with the wealthiest contributing the most". During the same launch, he expressed intentions to reform how business, property, and land are taxed, specifically targeting what he referred to a "ly reg" council.
Burnham has consistently voiced his support for a land value tax (LVT)—an annual levy based solely on land value, excluding any structures or improvements. During the by-election campaign, his team circulated a policy document promising a 20% cut in business rates for pubs and music venues.
This reduction would be funded through increased taxes on out-of-town warehouses utilized by online retailers like Amazon. Burnham also aims to raise the threshold for business rates, exempting many small high street shops from paying altogether.
In his speech following his Makerfield victory, he expressed his desire for an education system that is not solely university-focused but rather offers equal opportunities for both academic and technical education. He also emphasized the importance of securing more work placements for individuals aged 16 to 18 and ensuring guarantees for apprenticeships.
In an appearance on BBC Newsnight, Burnham indicated his intention to reevaluate the increase in National Insurance contributions imposed on employers by Rachel Reeves in the 2024 Budget. He has often suggested replacing inheritance tax with a "national care levy," which he articulated in a 2023 speech, asserting that this would ensure "the care provided is free" and that "everyone would contribute, with the wealthiest contributing the most".
During the same launch, he expressed intentions to reform how business, property, and land are taxed, specifically targeting what he referred to a "ly reg" council. Burnham has consistently voiced his support for a land value tax (LVT)—an annual levy based solely on land value, excluding any structures or improvements.
Burnham’s proposals suggest he aims to alleviate the financial strain on citizens if he ascends to the role of prime minister. He has pledged to adhere to the economic guidelines established by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, indicating that if he ascended to the role of prime minister, he would not permit a significant increase in borrowing.
Additionally, he reaffirmed Labour’s commitment to its manifesto, promising not to raise the principal rates of income tax, VAT, or National Insurance, which would constrain his capacity to generate substantial tax revenue. Burnham has often suggested replacing inheritance tax with a "national care levy," which he articulated in a 2023 speech, asserting that this would ensure "the care provided is free" and that "everyone would contribute, with the wealthiest contributing the most".
During the same launch, he expressed intentions to reform how business, property, and land are taxed, specifically targeting what he referred to a "ly reg" council. Burnham has consistently voiced his support for a land value tax (LVT)—an annual levy based solely on land value, excluding any structures or improvements.
During the by-election campaign, his team circulated a policy document promising a 20% cut in business rates for pubs and music venues. This reduction would be funded through increased taxes on out-of-town warehouses utilized by online retailers like Amazon.
Burnham also aims to raise the threshold for business rates, exempting many small high street shops from paying altogether. In his speech following his Makerfield victory, he expressed his desire for an education system that is not solely university-focused but rather offers equal opportunities for both academic and technical education.
He also emphasized the importance of securing more work placements for individuals aged 16 to 18 and ensuring guarantees for apprenticeships. In an appearance on BBC Newsnight, Burnham indicated his intention to reevaluate the increase in National Insurance contributions imposed on employers by Rachel Reeves in the 2024 Budget.
He has often suggested replacing inheritance tax with a "national care levy," which he articulated in a 2023 speech, asserting that this would ensure "the care provided is free" and that "everyone would contribute, with the wealthiest contributing the most". During the same launch, he expressed intentions to reform how business, property, and land are taxed, specifically targeting what he referred to a "ly reg" council.
Burnham has consistently voiced his support for a land value tax (LVT)—an annual levy based solely on land value, excluding any structures or improvements. Burnham’s proposals suggest he aims to alleviate the financial strain on citizens if he ascends to the role of prime minister.
He has pledged to adhere to the economic guidelines established by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, indicating that if he ascended to the role of prime minister, he would not permit a significant increase in borrowing. Additionally, he reaffirmed Labour’s commitment to its manifesto, promising not to raise the principal rates of income tax, VAT, or National Insurance, which would constrain his capacity to generate substantial tax revenue.
Burnham has often suggested replacing inheritance tax with a "national care levy," which he articulated in a 2023 speech, asserting that this would ensure "the care provided is free" and that "everyone would contribute, with the wealthiest contributing the most". During the same launch, he expressed intentions to reform how business, property, and land are taxed, specifically targeting what he referred to a "ly reg" council.
Burnham has consistently voiced his support for a land value tax (LVT)—an annual levy based solely on land value, excluding any structures or improvements. During the by-election campaign, his team circulated a policy document promising a 20% cut in business rates for pubs and music venues.
This reduction would be funded through increased taxes on out-of-town warehouses utilized by online retailers like Amazon. Burnham also aims to raise the threshold for business rates, exempting many small high street shops from paying altogether.
In his speech following his Makerfield victory, he expressed his desire for an education system that is not solely university-focused but rather offers equal opportunities for both academic and technical education. He also emphasized the importance of securing more work placements for individuals aged 16 to 18 and ensuring guarantees for apprenticeships.
In an appearance on BBC Newsnight, Burnham indicated his intention to reevaluate the increase in National Insurance contributions imposed on employers by Rachel Reeves in the 2024 Budget. He has often suggested replacing inheritance tax with a "national care levy," which he articulated in a 2023 speech, asserting that this would ensure "the care provided is free" and that "everyone would contribute, with the wealthiest contributing the most".
During the same launch, he expressed intentions to reform how business, property, and land are taxed, specifically targeting what he referred to a "ly reg" council. Burnham has consistently voiced his support for a land value tax (LVT)—an annual levy based solely on land value, excluding any structures or improvements.
Burnham’s proposals suggest he aims to alleviate the financial strain on citizens if he ascends to the role of prime minister. He has pledged to adhere to the economic guidelines established by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, indicating that if he ascended to the role of prime minister, he would not permit a significant increase in borrowing.
Additionally, he reaffirmed Labour’s commitment to its manifesto, promising not to raise the principal rates of income tax, VAT, or National Insurance, which would constrain his capacity to generate substantial tax revenue. Burnham has often suggested replacing inheritance tax with a "national care levy," which he articulated in a 2023 speech, asserting that this would ensure "the care provided is free" and that "everyone would contribute,