The Labour leader has been accused of ‘taking the country back to the 1970s with state control’.
Andy Burnham is reportedly planning on a nationalisations campaign (Image: Getty)
Andy Burnham has been accused of taking the UK “back to the 1970s” with a campaign of nationalisations. The incoming prime minister is reportedly planning to bring a number of key industries into public ownership, with The National Lottery among the proposed targets of the drive.
Mr Burnham, who will get the keys to Number 10 later on Monday, will promise to give people “breathing room” against the rising cost of living in his first speech as PM. He will also urge the country to be honest about the challenges it faces and call for “reflection and resolution”. Reform UK’s economy spokesman Robert Jenrick accused Mr Burnham of being focused on “hammering businesses” with the nationalisation plans.
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Andy Burnham will get the keys to Number 10 later on Monday (Image: Getty)
Speaking to The Telegraph, Mr Jenrick said the Labour leader is “taking the country back to the 1970s with state control”.
According to the newspaper, Mr Burnham will seek to place more housing stock on the public balance sheet and is also weighing up temporarily nationalising Thames Water to resolve its debt woes.
Mr Burnham could expand Labour plans to bring local bus services into public control too.
This would reportedly be based upon the model Mr Burnham used in Greater Manchester as mayor.
The area was the first in England (outside London) to bring bus services back under public ownership, incorporating them with other modes of transport as part of the ‘Bee Network’.
Mr Burnham is expected to name his cabinet after his maiden speech as PM.
He is believed to have been considering either Energy Secretary Ed Miliband or Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to replace Rachel Reeves as chancellor.
Mr Burnham has made it clear he wants to devolve power away from Westminster as one of his key aims.
The new “No 10 North” in Manchester, which he is set to visit this week, is set to drive that change.
Promising a “reset of priorities”, Mr Burnham has also announced he will scrap Sir Keir Starmer’s flagship digital ID programme to focus money and attention on the cost of living.
Mr Burnham has not confirmed reports he is considering approving new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.
However, Donald Trump on Sunday claimed Mr Burnham has said he would, declaring people in Aberdeen will be “dancing in the streets”.
