New No 10 North plan will rebalance power in Britain, Burnham promises
One of the biggest rows between Labor MPs and Sir Keir was over his attempts to cut the welfare bill.
Burnham has previously said she would not be “flickering” about dropping the bill and promised in her speech that cuts would be found “in a fair and lasting way”, adding: “Where young people need mental health support this will be provided as part of in-work support.”
He also said employment support could be delegated to mayors and that more help should be provided through grassroots organizations “that people trust rather than going to places they are afraid of.”
Former Labor Secretary Alan Milburn, who served with Burnham in the last Labor government, is currently reviewing ways to get young people into work.
Burnham said he took their findings seriously and that there needed to be a “complete rethink of how we support the next generation to succeed”, adding: “This has to start with the education system.”
He said that the school system should no longer be focused on university, and promised a greater emphasis on technical education.
On tax, he reiterated his plan to change business rates to support pubs and high street businesses.
“Shouldn’t we be making our high streets symbols of Britain’s renaissance rather than a sign of decadence?” he said.
To reassure financial markets, he promised “a 10-year mission to raise people’s living standards”, saying his plans would be backed by “the stability that comes from sound public finances”.
Acknowledging that “people can’t wait forever for change”, he said: “I will do my best to deliver this and try to give the UK some breathing room as soon as possible, without risking the public finances.”
Since Sir Keir’s resignation, there has been speculation about who Burnham will choose for senior positions in her cabinet, particularly the chancellor position.
Burnham said in his speech that he would not make any statements about the appointments until the leadership contest is over.
This week Burnham will begin holding meetings with the civil service to prepare for the transition of power.
Sir Keir allowed these so-called access talks, which are usually granted to opposition parties before a general election.
Speaking ahead of Burnham’s speech, Badenoch said: “A lot of politicians hide behind devolution because they don’t have an answer.
“So they say, ‘why don’t we let the local people take this on?’, but they don’t give them the real tools of power.
“We’ve seen a lot of things go wrong because right now politicians are making decisions from outside.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “People have heard this kind of talk before but are sorely disappointed that nothing has changed; Burnham must not repeat this mistake.
“If he is serious about boosting growth and reducing the cost of living, Burnham must scrap Labour’s old red lines on Europe and bring Britain into the single market.”
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice criticized Burnham’s decision not to take questions at the end of the speech.
“No debate in parliament. No scrutiny by MPs until September. Power without accountability.”
Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party for England and Wales, said: “What is the value of giving more powers if local government can’t afford to use them?
“Labour has done little to restore council budgets that were cut under the Conservatives, and Burnham’s determination today to stick to so-called fiscal rules ensures continued austerity and cuts to vital services.”
Dave Doogan, the SNP’s Westminster leader, said there was “nothing significant about these proposals for Scotland and nothing that would fundamentally improve people’s lives”.
