News about Andy Burnham

Think tank IPPR urged Britain to make EU membership its 'medium-term' goal, arguing that the UK lacks the scale to handle Russian aggression, American unreliability and Chinese coercion on its own. Ahead of the UK-EU summit in Brussels, where Prime Minister Andy Burnham will set out relationship options, IPPR said 'hedging' between the US and Europe was a strategy for survival rather than success. A Persuasion UK poll found 52% of people backed rejoining against 29% opposed, though budget contributions and replacing the pound with the euro could damage that support. The government responded that the current Brexit deal had weakened immigration control and growth.

Think tank IPPR says Britain should make EU membership its medium-term goal as Andy Burnham prepares to outline options for the UK's relationship with Europe at the UK-EU summit in Brussels on November 20. The report argues that Britain lacks the scale to handle Russian aggression, American unreliability and Chinese coercion alone, and that hedging between the US and Europe is a strategy for survival rather than success. It suggests first building support through cooperation on defence, manufacturing and democratic resilience, and possibly joining the EU's Made in Europe scheme, without an immediate referendum. Polling for the think tank found 52% of people back rejoining the EU, compared with 29% opposed. The Government says the Brexit deal it inherited has weakened border control and growth.

The IPPR think tank urges Britain to make EU membership its medium-term goal as Prime Minister Andy Burnham prepares to set out relationship options at the UK-EU summit in Brussels on November 20. The report says Britain lacks the scale to face Russia, the US and China alone, and that balancing between the US and Europe is a strategy for survival rather than success. It proposes working with the EU on defence and manufacturing, including possible inclusion in the 'Made in Europe' scheme, as steps toward membership, while noting the government needs time to build the case. Polling in June found 52% support for rejoining and 29% opposition, though concerns over EU budget contributions and replacing the pound with the euro could significantly damage support. A government spokesman said the threadbare Brexit deal has weakened control of illegal immigration and tangled businesses in red tape.

The think tank IPPR says Britain should make EU membership its medium-term goal as Andy Burnham sets out options for the country's relationship with the bloc at the UK-EU summit in Brussels on November 20. The report argues Britain lacks the scale to handle Russian aggression, American unreliability and Chinese coercion alone, and that hedging between the US and Europe is a strategy for survival rather than success. It proposes working with the EU on defence, manufacturing and democratic resilience as steps toward membership. It also warns that joining the EU's 'Made in Europe' scheme could require aligning with EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, potentially putting net zero targets at risk. Polling by Persuasion UK in June found 52% of people support rejoining and 29% oppose, though concerns about EU budget contributions and replacing the pound with the euro could damage support.

Chancellor John Healey is reportedly considering raising the surcharge on bank profits above £100million from 3% to 8% at the upcoming Budget, reversing a cut introduced in April 2023 under Jeremy Hunt. The change could raise some £2billion for the Exchequer, but banks warn it could inflict a £20 billion hit on the economy. Lenders may try to recoup the cost by raising mortgage rates and cutting savings rates, though that risks losing customers to rivals. Conservative and City groups say the tax would stifle investment and harm Britain's competitiveness, while the TUC backs it and estimates it would raise £2.25billion a year. The Treasury said decisions on tax are for the Chancellor to announce at fiscal events.

Farmers have urged UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to fully scrap the inheritance tax on farms introduced under Sir Keir Starmer's government, warning it threatens family farms. The threshold was raised to £2.5 million (£5 million for married couples) after a backlash, but farmers say tax bills can force families to sell land and make farms unviable. Sandy Wade-Gery, 76, whose Bedfordshire farm has been in his family since 1536, fears his son may be the last to keep it unless the tax is abolished. The Countryside Alliance and NFU also oppose the tax, while the Conservatives and Reform UK have pledged to reverse the changes if they win the next election. Further changes are speculated for next week's budget as Mr Burnham seeks to repair ties with farmers.

According to Hargreaves Lansdown, new state pensioners under 77 could receive up to about £488 more a year, as the triple lock forecast points to a 3.9% rise from April 2027. The increase is based on average wage growth of 3.9% rather than inflation of 2.9%, with the final figure due at the Budget on October 28. A full new state pension would rise from £241.30 to £250.70 a week, and a full basic state pension from £184.90 to £192.10 a week. New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed the triple lock will stand for the rest of this Parliament, despite earlier plans to scrap it from 2030. Helen Morrissey of Hargreaves Lansdown says the rise will help but will only cover the basics, urging people to boost pension contributions.

FairFuelUK says more than 30,000 people emailed Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey within 24 hours, urging urgent action on fuel costs before the Budget on October 28 as petrol and diesel prices rise amid conflict in the Middle East. Many respondents, including a pensioner in rural Wales and a self-employed driving instructor, say they rely entirely on cars for hospital visits, shopping and work because bus services are unreliable or absent. Demands include cutting Fuel Duty, a permanent freeze, a PumpWatch regulator with legal powers over excessive pricing, and recognising affordable mobility as a driver of growth. Founder Howard Cox argues that cheaper fuel would lower costs and inflation, and supporters ask to meet him to discuss a 20-Year Transport Strategy developed with input from more than 80,000 drivers and stakeholders.