Chamber UK @ChamberVoice

How much more could @andyburnham invest in the Defence Investment Plan? If Burnham receives the keys to Number 10 this month, the future Prime Minister will face some difficult choices in the months ahead. With some MPs riling against cuts to road projects used to pay for increases in defence spending, Burnham will be under significant pressure to find £billions more in funding - while at the same time balancing the requirements of underfunded public services. If he appoints a Chancellor that delivers anaemic growth, or worse - upsets the bond markets - he could find little to no wiggle room in meeting the fiscal rules, let alone finding the money to boost defence spending. The November Budget will be critical if Burnham is not to face the same fate as Liz Truss. There will be no summer holiday for the Government.

The long-delayed Defence Investment Plan has finally been published. We break down: • Why it was delayed • The political battles behind it • How spending compares with previous promises • The key investment announcements • Whether it delivers the deterrent Britain needs Read our full analysis ⬇️ politicsuk.com/news/defence-i…

Commenting on the report: - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care at @DHSCgovuk, @jamesmurray_ldn said: “For too long women, babies and families have been failed by a system that didn’t listen.” - Chief Midwifery Officer for England at @NHSEngland, Kate Brintworth @CMidOEngland said: “Women and families must be taken seriously when they say something is wrong.” - Chair of the Race Equality Engagement Group, Baroness Doreen Lawrence @DLawrenceOBE said: “Racism and discrimination have no place in our health service.” - Maternity Advisor, @MichelleWelshMP said: “It is now vital that we work together to deliver meaningful and lasting improvements in maternity care.” - Curia Health, Care and Life Sciences Research Group Advisory Board member, Professor @MikeBewickDMD said: “Women, babies and families deserve more than repeated reviews - they deserve a system that learns, acts and is accountable.”

Baroness @ValerieAmos' Maternity Safety Review must result in change, not another shelf of recommendations. Warnings were missed. Families were ignored. Staff were unheard. As Dame Donna Ockenden @DOckendenLtd's Nottingham review showed, the issue is not lack of evidence - it is lack of action. Read more: politicsuk.com/news/baroness-…

📷 @10DowningStreet

“Late and underfunded” - as one of his last acts as Prime Minister, Sir @Keir_Starmer will publish the Defence Investment Plan with £5bn to increase the armed forces' use of drones. With ongoing criticism of Royal Navy capabilities, the Plan will also set out plans to use AI and self-controlled vessels. @LibDems Leader, Sir @EdwardJDavey criticised the the Government - saying they have "dangerously short-changed our armed forces". Defence Secretary @JohnHealey_MP & Armed Forces Minister, @AlistairCarns resigned over the funding settlement earlier this month - contributing to the Prime Minister’s resignation. But, will likely new Prime Minister, @andyburnham increase funding if he comes to power in July?

Is Andy Burnham offering a genuinely new (northern) direction, or are we hearing familiar Westminster promises once again? In Chamber UK's latest analysis, we compare Burnham's speech this morning with the pledges made by David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer on devolution, apprenticeships and "new politics". Read the full analysis: politicsuk.com/news/yes-and-h…

Changing who governs Britain isn’t enough. We need to change how Britain is governed. mirror.co.uk/news/politics/…

For decades I have advocated for more power to be given to Mayors - at the end of the day, that’s why I set up @ChamberVoice - to bring the Councils and Commons closer together. Since 2022 we have given platforms to people like @andyburnham - can’t wait to see more devolution!

Chamber UK @ChamberVoice

2 days ago

Ahead of @andyburnham's Manchester speech on the economy and devolution this morning, Curia Chief Executive, @benhowlettuk explores what a Burnham premiership could mean for the UK economy, markets and public services. Following the publication of close advisor and ally, Lou

0 1 3 562 0

Ahead of @andyburnham's Manchester speech on the economy and devolution this morning, Curia Chief Executive, @benhowlettuk explores what a Burnham premiership could mean for the UK economy, markets and public services. Following the publication of close advisor and ally, Lou Haigh's essay on the weekend, the piece looks at what a new fiscal framework could mean for growth, investment and market confidence. Read: politicsuk.com/news/opinion-l…

📷 @hmtreasury

Why was @Ed_Miliband’s £400m rainforest pledge shelved by @hmtreasury? The Treasury was concerned that while tense defence spending negotiations were underway, there would be ‘optics concerns’ - leading to questions on Miliband’s priorities should @andyburnham appoint him Chancellor: thetimes.com/article/85f217… via @thetimes

Likely Prime Minister, @andyburnham is expected to make a speech on his economic plans at 11.30 this morning. This will be the first major speech from the former Mayor since returning to Westminster setting out more powers and money delivered at a local/regional government level.

📷 @hmtreasury

Ahead of his first major speech since returning to Westminster on the economy, close ally and advisor to @andyburnham, Louise Haigh, has called for capital gains tax to be brought closer to income tax rates, looser fiscal rules to allow more borrowing, and a reduction in Treasury power as part of a wider overhaul of the UK economy. Writing for @RenewalJournal her essay represents the clearest idea of what those around the likely new Prime Minister are thinking in terms of their ‘radical’ plans to reform the tax system - and marks a major shift from the economic policy of the current Chancellor, @RachelReevesMP: renewal.org.uk/articles/a-new…

📷 @10DowningStreet

On Conservative Leader, @KemiBadenoch's comparison of @bphillipsonMP’s approach to that of the Nazi Gestapo at #pmqs this week and her doubling down on the comments, Shadow Housing Secretary, @JamesCleverly tells #bbclaurak "that wouldn't have been the phraseology that I use", but stopped short of criticising Badenoch directly and instead argued that politicians across parties should be judged by the same standards when using inflammatory language. He said: • Conservatives are not calling for a general election, arguing it would create delay, and uncertainty when the priority should be defence and national security. - The Conservatives have struggled to reach 20 points in the polls. • Says the Tories are ready if an election comes, with good levels of donations, but want Labour to get on with funding the armed forces and tackling key challenges. • Insists Kemi Badenoch would make a better Prime Minister than @andyburnham, but says there is no guarantee an election would produce a Conservative government. • Dismisses @reformparty_uk as lacking a credible plan and questions whether @Nigel_Farage could field enough strong candidates nationwide. • Backs using savings from a reduced welfare bill to help fund increased defence spending.

📷 @10DowningStreet

“We want a Defence Investment Plan that matches our commitment”, former Chief of the Defence Staff, @AdmTonyRadakin_ tells #bbclaurak. In advice for a new Prime Minister, likely to be @andyburnhamHQ he says there needs to be “a Moscow Test” following the Makerfield test on defence as there is a risk that we fall short on those commitments. Radakin says: • @NATO allies have largely backed raising defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, and the UK must deliver on its pledge. • Warns the UK is near the bottom of NATO for defence spending as a share of national income, describing it as an “unprecedented” position. • Says Britain risks damaging relations with the US if it is not seen to be pulling its weight on European security. • On the “Moscow Test” on defence: “What do we look like to Moscow? Do we look like a strong member of NATO, a strong nuclear power and a strong ally of America?

📷 @10DowningStreet

"We will now unite behind Andy Burnham” says former @Keir_Starmer loyalist and Housing Secretary, @SteveReedMP following his resignation this week. Reed tells #bbclaurak: • Labour’s leadership change is “very different” from the Conservatives’ PM churn because Starmer is stepping down “with good grace” and the party will unite quickly behind @andyburnham. • Pays tribute to Starmer for taking Labour from its worst defeat in generations to government, saying Burnham will “build on his legacy”. • Repeatedly insists the focus must remain on delivery, not Westminster drama: cost of living, NHS waiting lists, housebuilding, and public services. • After writing an article 10 years ago on the subject, backs Burnham’s devolution agenda, arguing more power for regions will drive faster growth and better local outcomes • Labour remains committed to its pledge to build 1.5 million homes during the Parliament despite being challenged that only around 400,000 homes have been built so far. • Defends Labour’s 1.5m homes target, saying planning reforms are beginning to feed through and “the target remains”. • Condemns Cabinet leaks and anonymous briefings: “We all hang together, or we all hang separately.” • Signals further defence investment, stressing the need to respond to the threat from Russia and evolving cyber threats. • Says colleagues should unite “four-square behind Andy Burnham” to deliver the change voters backed.