Five takeaways from Andy Burnham’s Commons debut as PM
BBC News reports on Andy Burnham’s first question session as prime minister in the House of Commons, highlighting key points from his statement.
Burnham’s Devolution Plans
Burnham intends to devolve power, learning from his time as mayor of Greater Manchester. He aims to boost the UK’s economic prospects without creating a "two-tier England" through uneven devolution. Work is underway on a devolution deal with Cornwall, and he plans to meet leaders in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to explore further local powers.
Defence Spending
Burnham pressed the Chancellor, John Healey, to set a target date for reaching 3% of GDP in defence spending by 2030. Healey, who was appointed by Burnham, had previously argued in favor of this target, which Burnham cited as a key reason for his appointment.
Climate Action
Burnham confirmed his attendance at the COP31 climate summit in November, demonstrating his commitment to tackling the climate crisis. This decision comes as he faces a critical choice regarding oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.
Leasehold Reform
Burnham supports continuing leasehold reform, aiming to end the "feudal" leasehold system and give homeowners more control over their properties. This aligns with Labour’s 2024 election manifesto promise to bring an end to the unfair practices associated with leasehold ownership.
