Burnham promises more devolution and public control of essential services

Andy Burnham, newly installed as prime minister on 20 July, used his first Commons address to outline a sweeping agenda of “stronger public control” over essential services and a broad devolution programme for England. He blamed a series of policy missteps dating from the 1980s—centralised political power, privatised economic assets, de‑industrialisation, austerity and the fallout from Brexit—for leaving Britain “not where we would wish it to be”. Highlighting the water sector as a “leaking monument” to private‑interest‑driven policy, Burnham pledged to produce a detailed plan later in the year to increase public oversight of water and energy, while also promising to extend devolved powers to every English region, regardless of whether they have elected mayors. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch countered sharply, accusing Burnham of offering “more government control, more taxes and more politicians” and dismissing his growth theory as fundamentally flawed.

The core of Burnham’s proposal rests on a belief that devolving authority to localities will spark economic renewal across the country. Drawing on his decade as Greater Manchester mayor, he argued that the region’s growth model—where local decision‑making powers were transferred from Westminster—could be replicated nationwide, creating “good growth in every postcode”. He acknowledged concerns that areas without existing mayoral structures might be left behind, noting the stalled Cornwall devolution deal as an example, and pledged to work with Cornwall Council and its MPs “with or without an elected mayor”. Burnham also signalled openness to “local models of devolution” in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, suggesting a flexible, region‑specific approach rather than a one‑size‑fits‑all framework.

Beyond the devolution and utility reforms, Burnham’s three‑and‑a‑half‑hour speech touched on welfare, housing and defence. He proposed expanding council‑built homes to curb rents and reduce the benefits bill, and announced legislation to ease the shift from leasehold to commonhold ownership. In defence, he defended his choice of John Healey as chancellor, citing Healey’s commitment to defence spending after the former defence secretary’s resignation over perceived under‑investment. The speech concluded with a tribute to outgoing prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation as MP shortly before Burnham’s address, underscoring the political transition underway as Burnham moves from mayoral leadership to national governance.

⚡ Effects Interpreter