October 02, 2026

Michael Lambert: Andy Burnham's Great Ideas but How Will He Pay for Them?

Oct 2, 2026 | Andy Burnham's speech to the Labour Conference promised a 10-year plan to fix Britain - but how will it be paid for?

In an excellent speech Andy Burnham set out tougher controls on water companies and renationalisation, if needed, more council houses, an end to rough sleeping, proper reform and investment in social care to save the NHS, further devolution, electoral reform - and a hint at a return to the EU.

Britain is broke. We have the highest energy prices in Europe, the highest rail fares, the lowest state pension, plus massive waste on Hinkley Point and HS2.

You only get money by growing businesses, building new ones and increasing economic activity - and there was nothing in the speech about how to do that.