Five of Andy Burnham’s key policies – from tax plans to rejoining the EU

Politics
14 Jul 2026 • 7:23 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Five of Andy Burnham’s key policies – from tax plans to rejoining the EU

  1. Devolution - Andy Burnham, in his first major speech since returning to parliament, outlined a decade-long plan to transform Britain by devolving power from Whitehall, proposing a 'No 10 in the North' outpost in Manchester to oversee reindustrialisation and regeneration.
  2. Taxes - Burnham has indicated potential tax reforms, including an 'Amazon tax' to overhaul business rates in a bid to save Britain’s high streets, while committing to not raising income tax, VAT, or national insurance, and exploring options like land value tax.
  3. EU - Burnham has said he will not try to return the UK to the EU, but instead wrote in The Times that he advocates for closer European cooperation on illegal migration, economic security, and “the broader resilience of our societies to external threats”.
  4. Housing - Burnham, speaking in Manchester, called for a significant “council house building programme”, pledging that a government led by him will oversee the “biggest council house building programme since the post-war period”, utilising vacant public land and promoting higher density development in existing towns to revitalise high streets and safeguard green spaces.
  5. Defence - Burnham has outlined defence priorities, including ensuring stability by retaining the UK’s commitment to Nato and to the country’s nuclear deterrent, and upgrading military equipment.

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