Andy Burnham, the frontrunner to become the United Kingdom’s next prime minister, is set to unveil his economic agenda in his first major policy speech since Keir Starmer announced his resignation last week.
Speaking in Manchester, Burnham is expected to outline a 10-year mission focused on raising living standards while placing devolution at the centre of a future Labour government.
Having returned to Westminster after winning a parliamentary seat earlier this month, Burnham is currently the only declared candidate to replace Starmer and could take office by 20 July if no challenger emerges.
Burnham’s programme is expected to propose greater powers for mayors and regional authorities, including increased control over social housing, welfare, education and budgets currently managed by Whitehall.
He is also expected to announce plans for a "No 10 North" and argue that decision-making should be pushed closer to local communities across every nation and region of the UK.
His office says the strategy will seek to change not only who governs Britain but also how it is governed, with a long-term emphasis on reindustrialisation, housing, infrastructure and reform of utilities.
Burnham has branded his approach "Manchesterism", combining a business-friendly economic outlook with greater public control over transport, water and energy, while also supporting lower business rates for pubs and music venues.
He is expected to retain Labour’s existing fiscal rules, including balancing day-to-day spending through tax revenues and reducing debt as a share of national income.
Despite outlining an ambitious programme, Burnham faces limited fiscal flexibility because of budget pressures and high borrowing costs.
His choice of finance minister will be closely watched, while questions remain over whether his government would remain fully aligned with Labour’s 2024 manifesto.
He has also faced calls to clarify his cabinet plans, commit to increased defence spending and respond to criticism from opposition parties.
Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake said Burnham’s proposals focused on shifting power between politicians rather than addressing welfare, taxation or defence.
Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats also questioned whether the proposals would deliver meaningful change, arguing that voters expect tangible results rather than broad political commitments.