Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed he will not raise income tax, VAT or National Insurance during his premiership, despite reports suggesting he is preparing tax hikes in his Autumn Budget. Speaking on his first foreign visit to Ukraine, the Makerfield MP insisted he would honour Labour's manifesto commitment and avoid breaking promises made to voters.
Mr Burnham acknowledged the challenging fiscal position facing the UK but stressed that any decisions would be carefully considered and fully funded. He told broadcasters: "I won't be unrealistic and people really need to understand that. We are in a challenging position, whatever I do will be carefully thought through, it will be funded and there will be no more to come as we go into the Autumn."
Manifesto promise on tax rates
When asked directly by LBC whether the public should expect tax rises in his first Budget, Mr Burnham replied: "No, it doesn't mean that." He confirmed that honouring the manifesto would mean no increases to income tax, VAT or National Insurance rates.
The Prime Minister also addressed questions from ITV about whether Britons needed to accept higher taxes to fund his spending pledges. He responded: "They don't necessarily need to accept that. What I have put out so far, I wouldn't say is everything, but they are the first steps and they are significant."
Reprioritising spending commitments
Mr Burnham highlighted specific measures already announced, including removing VAT from electricity bills and reintroducing the £2 cap on bus fares for the whole of 2027. He explained these were possible because of reprioritisation, saying: "I took the decision early on that digital ID wasn't the top priority for now. And so we've reprioritised funding to other priorities."
Reflecting on his record, the Prime Minister said: "I will always take a careful approach to things. I ran Greater Manchester for 10 years and we ran a very tight ship with rock-solid finances. Nothing will change as I come into this role as Prime Minister."
Commitment to protecting households
Mr Burnham pledged not to take risks with people's finances, stating: "I won't take risks with people's jobs or their livelihoods or their family finances. I will try to help them in whatever way I can. I have already done some things that will help them... I will do what I can but I won't be unrealistic and people really need to understand that."
He concluded: "We are in a challenging position. Whatever I do will be carefully thought through, it will be funded and there will be more to come as we go into the autumn." The Prime Minister's comments come ahead of the Autumn Budget, where further spending announcements are expected despite the confirmed commitment on the three major taxes.
