Politics LIVE: Andy Burnham sparks fury after tax bombshell in Gary Lineker interview.VA
The incoming prime minister has prompted criticism after suggesting there will be tax rises.
Andy Burnham is set to enter No 10 within days (Image: GOALHANGER)
Andy Burnham has sparked a backlash after hinting at tax hikes in an interview with Gary Lineker. The incoming prime minister said he “might be having to ask for a little more” and declined to rule out a wealth tax.
But Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “Andy Burnham isn’t even Prime Minister yet but he’s already talking about raising your taxes again.
“We are heading for another summer of chaos with Labour obsessing about who they can tax to pay for more benefits. It doesn’t matter who is in charge, the problem is the Labour Party.”
Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride added: “Burnham should be reassuring people about his plans but instead every time he speaks he fuels more speculation about a fresh tax raid.
“Rachel Reeves has already raised taxes to a historic high – how can Burnham possibly think what we need is yet more taxes? He’s going to push our economy to breaking point.”
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Tories blast ‘pathetic stunt’
The Conservatives hit out at the “pathetic stunt” by Argentinian players after last night’s World Cup win over England.
Shadow Sports Minister Louie French said: “The Falklands are British. That is not up for discussion.
“Last night’s pathetic stunt by the Argentinian team was shameful and FIFA must the throw the book at them.
“The Conservatives will always stand up for the people of the Falkland Islands and defend their right to self-determination.”
Argentinian players waved a banner which translates to ‘The Falkland Islands are Argentinian’ (Image: Getty)
Farage hits out in Falklands row
Nigel Farage took to X after Argentinian players sparked outrage after waving a Falkland Islands banner after last night’s World Cup semi-final game against England.
Who could replace Reeves as chancellor?
Speculation is swirling over who Andy Burnham will pick as his chancellor.
The incoming prime minister, who will enter 10 Downing Street on Monday, is set to sack Rachel Reeves from the Treasury.
But he is still dithering over who he will appoint to the key chancellor role, as a briefing war rages between possible candidates.
Here, the Daily Express looks at who could succeed Ms Reeves in No 11.
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Reeves has ‘failed’
The Tories said Rachel Reeves had “failed” in her push for growth after new figures showed the economy was up just 0.1% in May.
Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: “Rachel Reeves said growth was her ‘number one mission’. She has failed.
“Two years of higher taxes have choked the economy, and now Andy Burnham wants even more taxes to pay for more benefits. Starmer and Reeves may be on their way out but the problem isn’t just the Chancellor. It’s the Labour Party. Different faces, same failed approach.”
Starmer visits Ukraine
Outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, in what will be his final trip before handing over to Andy Burnham.
Sir Keir has pledged his “cast-iron” support for the country ahead of the meeting, after being removed from office by the Makerfield MP Mr Burnham.
The former Mayor won the Labour Leadership race, as the only candidate to enter, earlier this week.
Minister slams Argentinian players over Falklands banner
Cabinet minister Peter Kyle said it was “entirely inappropriate” for Argentinian players to wave a banner in support of their country’s claims to the Falkland Islands after their World Cup semi-final win against England.
UK economy grows 0.1%
The UK economy grew by 0.1% in May, the Office for National Statistics said.
Labour has ‘finally listened’ over British Steel – Reform
Reform UK’s business, trade and energy spokesman Richard Tice said: “Reform UK called for the nationalisation of British Steel back in April last year to secure Britain’s critical virgin steelmaking capabilities for the next 50 years. It’s good to see the Government has finally listened.
“We now need a bold strategy that backs British industry by ensuring the use of British steel in both public and private sector procurement, as well as scrapping net zero which is crippling our industry with sky-high energy costs. We must be proudly patriotic in buying British steel.
“Compensation should be no more than £1. This business comes with huge liabilities and will require billions of pounds of investment to rebuild the blast furnaces. Taxpayers should not be rewarding failed ownership.”
(Image: Getty)
Government brings British Steel under public ownership
British Steel has come under public ownership to protect “the future of steel production” in the UK, the Government has announced.
The Department for Business and Trade said the move was essential to maintain steel production at British Steel’s site in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, to protect both the company’s future and UK supply chains.
The announcement follows the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Act 2026 receiving royal assent and becoming law.
Burnham to be crowned on Friday
Andy Burnham is set to become the Labour leader tomorrow after he was backed by trade unions linked to the party.
The former Greater Manchester mayor’s premiership has already been confirmed after he received the backing of 369 of the party’s 403 MPs, making it mathematically impossible for a rival to enter the contest.
Under Labour rules, candidates need the backing of 81 MPs to stand in a contest, meaning Mr Burnham is set for a coronation.
He has also won the support of eight of the 11 unions affiliated with the party.
The Makerfield MP is expected to be named Labour leader on Friday, before entering 10 Downing Street on Monday.
