{"id":46017,"date":"2026-05-22T20:09:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T20:09:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/46017\/"},"modified":"2026-05-22T20:09:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T20:09:19","slug":"burnhams-income-tax-pledge-if-he-becomes-pm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/46017\/","title":{"rendered":"Burnham’s income tax pledge if he becomes PM"},"content":{"rendered":"

Andy Burnham<\/a> has vowed not to raise income tax, VAT, or employee national insurance rates if he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister.<\/p>\n

The Mayor of Greater Manchester<\/a> launched his campaign as Labour\u2019s candidate for the Makerfield by-election on Friday, promising to lower energy and water bills \u2013 and oversee the largest building of council house building \u201csince the Second World War\u201d.<\/p>\n

Burnham is widely expected to challenge Starmer should he win in Makerfield, after the Prime Minister faced more than 90 calls to quit from Labour MPs and the resignation of his health secretary, along with several other junior ministers.<\/p>\n

And, in a sign he is seeking to project a disciplined economic message, Burnham told reporters on Friday that he is \u201ccommitted\u201d to Labour\u2019s manifesto promise not to increase taxes on working people.<\/p>\n

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news<\/p>\n

Jessie J \u2018sobbed for hours\u2019 after learning she\u2019s cancer free<\/p>\n

\"JessieJessie J, 37, said in an Instagram video she has spent much of her recent time \u2018in and out of tests\u2019 (Photo: Jordan Pettitt\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n

Singer\u00a0Jessie\u00a0J\u00a0has revealed she is officially cancer-free, saying she \u201csobbed for hours\u201d after receiving the all-clear.<\/p>\n

The star, who had undergone treatment for breast cancer last year, returned to the stage in September after a break from performing.<\/p>\n

Star in tears after receiving news<\/p>\n

The 37-year-old shared the news on her Instagram, saying she \u201csobbed for hours and then exhaled for the first time in a year\u201d when she got the scan results. <\/p>\n

She revealed she had been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in June last year.<\/p>\n

In August, she said she had to undergo a second operation and postponed an upcoming tour.<\/p>\n

\"CHELMSFORD,Caption: CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND \u2013 SEPTEMBER 6: Jessie J performs onstage during Radio 2 In The Park at Hylands Park on September 6, 2025 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Katja Ogrin\/Getty Images)
Photographer: Katja Ogrin
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe
Copyright: Katja Ogrin<\/p>\n

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MUSIC<\/p>\n

5 min read<\/p>\n

\nTop of the pops\n<\/p>\n

Jessie J, real name Jessica Cornish, rose to fame in 2011 with the release of her hit single Price Tag. She won the Brit Award for rising star and won four Mobo awards that year.<\/p>\n

\"JessieCaption:
Jessie J \u2013 Price Tag acoustic-Top Of The Pops Christmas
Screen grab from YouTube
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=T9WuNniJZs4<\/p>\n

\"TelevisionCaption: Television Programme: The Voice with Jessie J <\/p>\n

\u2013 TX: n\/a \u2013 Episode: n\/a (No. 1) \u2013 Embargoed for publication until: n\/a \u2013 Picture Shows: Jessie J \u2013 (C) Wall to Wall \u2013 Photographer: Guy Levy
Photographer: Guy Levy
Provider: BBC\/Wall to Wall
Copyright: BBC PICTURE ARCHIVES<\/p>\n

Since then, she has released four more albums, most recently Don\u2019t Tease Me With a Good Time in November last year, and been a judge on The Voice UK.<\/p>\n

Star\u2019s health battle <\/p>\n

I\u2019ve always had obscure health issues \u00a0that (doctors) can\u2019t figure out. Nothing has broken me. I believe I\u2019ve gone through all the things I have to help people<\/p>\n

JESSIE J, SPEAKING IN DECEMBER<\/p>\n

\"SAOCaption: SAO PAULO, BRAZIL \u2013 APRIL 30: Jessie J performs live on stage at Espaco Unimed on April 30, 2024 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Mauricio Santana\/Getty Images)
Photographer: Mauricio Santana
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images South America
Copyright: 2024 Mauricio Santana<\/p>\n

news<\/p>\n

Dover warns passengers to brace for half-term queues<\/p>\n

\"PassengersCaption: Passengers queue at check-in to cross the Channel at the Port of Dover in Kent. Millions of drivers are embarking on Easter getaway trips despite the soaring cost of fuel. Picture date: Friday April 3, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller\/PA Wire
Photographer: Gareth Fuller
Provider: Gareth Fuller\/PA Wire
Source: PA
Copyright: PA<\/p>\n

Ferry passengers travelling through the Port of\u00a0Dover\u00a0during the bank holiday getaway have been warned to expect long queues and possible delays amid EU border checks.<\/p>\n

The full impact of the EU\u2019s new Entry and Exit System (EES) will be felt at the port for the first time over the weekend, with travellers heading for Europe over the half-term break.<\/p>\n

\nPort town prepares for busy days\n<\/p>\n

Dover is bracing for a hectic weekend, with 18,000 passengers expected between Friday and Sunday. Saturday is predicted to be the busiest day with more than 8,000 travellers passing through.<\/p>\n

\"DOVER,Caption: DOVER, UNITED KINGDOM \u2013 JULY 21: The Port of Dover traffic builds up due to border controls checks being carry out in Dover, United Kingdom on July 21, 2023. Holidaymakers and freight vehicles trying to get their ferries, are facing long delays. P&O and DFDS ferries confirming that their services this weekend will be busy. The Port of Dover and the ferries are struggling to keep up with the sheer volume of traffic. (Photo by Stuart Brock\/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Photographer: Anadolu Agency
Provider: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Source: Anadolu<\/p>\n

\"ACaption: A family missed their flight home from a trip to Disneyland Paris after being stuck for more than five hours in queues for new EU border biometric checks.
David Newton, his wife Kimberley and their four-year-old daughter Frankie Mae were forced to go through Entry-Exit System (EES) checks twice in a day after missing their flight due to delays at Charles de Gaulle airport.
Mr Newton, 43, from Stourbridge, West Midlands and his family arrived three hours before their return flight to Birmingham with easyJet on 16 March, but ended up stranded for 11 hours at the Paris airport.<\/p>\n

Footage supplied by David Newton<\/p>\n

The authorities have urged people to avoid the city centre and travel to the port using the main roads, M2A\/2 and M20\/A20.<\/p>\n

Come prepared to wait, say Dover authorities<\/p>\n

Dover officials have warned travellers not to arrive more than two hours before their scheduled departure, with the busiest period expected between 6am and 1pm.<\/p>\n

Bringing plenty of water, snacks and entertainment is also recommended, as well as making sure dogs are walked beforehand.<\/p>\n

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NEWS<\/p>\n

4 min read<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

6 min read<\/p>\n

What are the new checks and what do I need to do?<\/p>\n

\"ACaption: A person as their passport scanned whilst using an Automated European Union Entry\/Exit System (EES) kiosk during a press preview on the rollout of the EU\u2019s new Entry-Exit System (EES) at Eurotunnel, south east England on September 23, 2025. The European Union\u2019s new border-check system for non-EU nationals, the so-called Entry\/Exit System (EES), which will do away with passport stamps, is set to finally launch October 12. (Photo by Justin TALLIS \/ AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS\/AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: JUSTIN TALLIS
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors<\/p>\n

Travellers entering the Schengen area now have to provide biometrics.<\/p>\n

EES biometric kiosks aren\u2019t in use at Dover for car passengers, but French police manually create profiles.<\/p>\n

Coach passengers are completing biometric checks at the port.<\/p>\n

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TRAVEL<\/p>\n

4 min read<\/p>\n

\"AndyAndy Burnham makes a speech at the launch of his campaign as Labour\u2019s candidate for the Makerfield by-election (Photo: PA)<\/p>\n

politics<\/p>\n

Burnham launches Makerfield by-election campaign <\/p>\n

Andy Burnham criticised Sir Keir Starmer\u2019s leadership as he launched his campaign to return to Westminster and trigger a probable challenge to the Prime Minister for No 10.<\/p>\n

The Greater Manchester Mayor vowed to change \u201ctired\u201d British politics as he kicked off his bid to win next month\u2019s Makerfield by-election while throwing down the gauntlet to Starmer.<\/p>\n

Burnham is widely viewed as Starmer\u2019s main rival for the top job if he wins on 18 June.<\/p>\n

\u2018Hope is in the air\u2019<\/p>\n

This is not more of the same. This is a change by-election. British politics is tired. It needs a new script and over the next four weeks the people of Makerfield are going to write that script<\/p>\n

ANDY BURNHAM. LABOUR\u2019S Makerfield by-election candidate <\/p>\n

\"ASHTON-IN-MAKERFIELD,Caption: ASHTON-IN-MAKERFIELD, ENGLAND \u2013 MAY 22: Labour Party candidate Andy Burnham speaks during his campaign launch for the Makerfield By-election at Stubshaw Cross Community and Sports Club on May 22, 2026 in Ashton-in-Makerfield, England. The Makerfield by-election, scheduled for 18 June 2026, has been triggered explicitly to provide Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham a route back to Westminster. If successful, Burnham is expected to launch a direct challenge against Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for the leadership of the Labour Party. (Photo by Ryan Jenkinson\/Getty Images)
Photographer: Ryan Jenkinson
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe
Copyright: 2026 Getty Images<\/p>\n

Burnham\u2019s Makerfield aims<\/p>\n

Biggest programme of council housebuilding since WW2<\/p>\n

Jobs for Wigan<\/p>\n

Burnham vowed to improve connections and education levels<\/p>\n

Lowering bills<\/p>\n

Water and energy bills have to come down, he said<\/p>\n

Tackling cost of living<\/p>\n

Was recognised as a top priority for voters was <\/p>\n

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Analysis<\/p>\n

5 min read<\/p>\n

analysis<\/p>\n

Burnham takes aim at Starmer Government<\/p>\n

\"ChiefCaption: Chief Whip Jonathan Reynolds takes a selfie with a Labour party supporters wait for the arrival of of Andy Burnham at the official launch of his campaign as Labour\u2019s candidate for the Makerfield by-election during a press conference at Stubshaw Cross Community and Sports Club in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Greater Manchester. Picture date: Friday May 22, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne\/PA Wire
Photographer: Peter Byrne
Provider: Peter Byrne\/PA Wire
Source: PA<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Steve Robson in Makerfield <\/p>\n

Northern Correspondent<\/p>\n

Burnham has just taken direct aim at Starmer\u2019s Government. He said: \u201cI know my own party needs to change. We need to be better than we\u2019ve been. We\u2019ve not been good enough. Let it be in no doubt, a vote for me in this by-election is a vote to change Labour.\u201d<\/p>\n

He ended his speech on his slogan: \u201cI\u2019m for us. So we can build a party and a country that is \u2018For Us Too\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Burnham\u2019s opponents <\/p>\n

\"\"Robert Kenyon contested the Makerfield seat for Reform UK in the 2024 general election (Photo: Reform UK handout)<\/p>\n

Robert Kenyon for Reform UK is expected to be a close second <\/p>\n

Conservatives: Michael Winstanley <\/p>\n

Liberal Democrats: Jake Austin<\/p>\n

Restore Britain: Rebecca Shepherd<\/p>\n

Greens\u2019 candidate withdrew with replacement yet to be named<\/p>\n

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POLITICS<\/p>\n

5 min read<\/p>\n

More politics from The i Paper<\/p>\n

@theipaper<\/a> <\/p>\n

Keir Starmer\u2019s promise to build 1.5 million homes could be at risk because bricks are becoming too expensive to produce. The Iran war and rising energy prices have pushed up manufacturing costs, with unions warning Labour\u2019s flagship housing target could \u201ccrumble to dust\u201d without urgent government support for the UK brick industry. So how is the Middle East conflict affecting housebuilding in Britain? Read more at the link above \u2b06\ufe0f #News<\/a> #Labour<\/a> #HousingCrisis<\/a><\/p>\n

\u266c original sound \u2013 The i Paper \u2013 The i Paper<\/a> <\/p>\n

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This means he would not raise income tax, VAT, or employee national insurance rates.<\/p>\n

Burnham said: \u201cI am committed to the manifesto commitments on tax, I think that\u2019s really important from a trust point of view.\u201d<\/p>\n

He did, however, argue there was room to be \u201cmore radical\u201d within the confines of these promises.<\/p>\n

When asked about former health secretary Wes Streeting\u2019s proposal of a capital gains tax<\/a> which mirrors the three bands of income tax, Burnham was more cautious.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cI\u2019ve seen those new proposals. When we\u2019re speaking on capital gains tax, I would want to look at them. I wouldn\u2019t want to commit either way, I\u2019d need to look at them in detail.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut more broadly on the fiscal rules, I\u2019ve never said that we should ignore the bond markets<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Burnham later said he would not go \u201cstraight to\u201d a wealth tax. <\/p>\n

Labour \u2018can be more radical within manifesto\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m focused on what we can do within the manifesto and I\u2019m fighting a by-election that is very much focused on people here not getting into arguments that are beyond the situation that I\u2019m in,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Burnham has already committed to sticking to the Government\u2019s existing borrowing rules in a bid to calm the bond markets.<\/p>\n

A backer told the BBC: \u201cHe has committed to the [fiscal] rules as they are. It is totally essential. He understands the cost of borrowing is a huge constraint on government.\u201d<\/p>\n

The rules say, broadly, that day-to-day expenditure should be met from taxation rather than borrowing, and debt should fall.<\/p>\n

This was a departure from recent weeks, when Burnham had suggested the rules might be changed \u2013 for example, by exempting rises in defence spending, as has occurred in Germany, to allow for extra spending.<\/p>\n

But Burnham was clear on Friday that he would not abandon Labour\u2019s current tax and spending plans.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about reprioritising that,\u201d he said, arguing that investment in council housing would alleviate the \u00a375m cost of paying for temporary accommodation in Greater Manchester. <\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t just look at that and then not do anything about it,\u201d Burnham added.<\/p>\n

The Mayor has called for the biggest programme of council house building since the Second World War and for more \u201cradical\u201d public control of utilities such as energy, water and rail.<\/p>\n

He plugged a campaign about \u201cchange\u201d, saying: \u201cI know my own party needs to change.\u201d<\/p>\n

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