Andy Burnham could unleash £100billion spending spree funded by tax rises in next Budget, warns Tories

NewsPolitics CHANCELLOR John Healey must “come clean” about the true cost of Andy Burnham’s spending spree, the Tories say. Sir Mel Stride, the Shadow Chancellor, said the Prime Minister’s pledges will add to fears of tax rises at the next Budget. Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey must ‘come clean’ about Burnham’s spending spree Credit: Getty Sir Mel Stride said the Prime Minister’s pledges will add to fears of tax rises Credit: Crown Copyright Tories estimate his commitments are likely to cost more than £50 billion and could cost close to £100 billion when combined with other proposals floated like increasing foreign aid. “Andy Burnham came into office without a plan,” Sir Mel said. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! “He has made numerous promises but seems to have little idea how he will pay for any of them. “These unfunded pledges will only add to concern and speculation about yet more Labour tax rises at the next Budget, as well as yet more borrowing, leaving a crippling burden for future generations. “Britain cannot afford that – and businesses and households should not be left in the dark. That’s why I’m calling on John Healey to come clean on the real Cost of Burnham – and tell us who he expects to pay for it.” On Monday the new Labour leader announced a £340 million investment to end rough sleeping, on Tuesday he unveiled an £850 million plan to cut energy bills. Wednesday, Mr Burnham confirmed a £500 million plan to cap bus fares at £2 and on Thursday he revealed a £100 million cut in business rates for pubs. He has also signalled much even bigger spending to come – on social care, council houses and nationalising utilities. Most read in The Sun Recently sacked Labour minister Darren Jones dealt Mr Burnham an embarrassing blow when he said the new Government’s plan to cut VAT was “unfunded”. Sir Mel has written to Mr Healey not to increase tax and to cut welfare to fund defence. A Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Tories crashed the economy and left families worse off. They’ve never apologised and are still making uncosted promises today. “They may have forgotten what they did, but nobody else has. Andy Burnham’s fully funded pledges will start to give people some of the breathing space they deserve. “We’re cutting tax on electricity bills, capping bus fares at £2, and slashing business rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues – immediate action to help families and high streets.” Andy Burnham vows NO general election before 2029 By Hannah Bentley, UK News Reporter ANDY Burnham has vowed there will be no general election before 2029 despite burning questions about his mandate. The new PM insisted that “people don’t want” another vote despite him taking the top job unopposed, in what critics described as a “coup”. In his first major interview as PM, Burnham categorically ruled out an early general election when speaking to the BBC‘s Laura Kuenssberg. Burnham took over No10 from Keir Starmer a little over a month after returning to Westminster as an MP – and has now vowed to unleash the “biggest change in decades” on the UK. But despite this, he insists he will stick by Labour’s manifesto and says he is protected by the mandate Labour won in 2024. He said: “I’m going to rule it out… I don’t think people want it. Opinion polls might say some people do, some people don’t. “We’re in a parliamentary democracy… People voted for a manifesto and I will honour that manifesto.” Opposition figures – including Reform leader Nigel Farage – have urged the new PM to call an election, which he legally does not have to do until August 2029. During the interview, Laura raises the fact that the UK’s 48 million electorate in the country hasn’t had a chance to vote for his plans. In response, Burnham mentions the Makerfield by-election in which he won 25,000 votes. He said: “I have faced the public in Makerfield. People say ‘oh my goodness – that constituency voted reform in May, that’s a risk’ “I went and faced the public, and I went out on those doorsteps. I’ve got the support of colleagues in parliament [and] there’s no early general election. Burnham added: “But the thing is I just think what I most need to do is get Britain focused on getting the country back where it should be, getting it working.” Comment now