Is Andy Burnham preparing to call a December election?
What is the purpose of a Budget? To stabilize the national finances? To kickstart economic growth? If you’re John Healey, it may be to show the markets that you’re fiscally responsible and the public finances are safe in your hands. If you’re Andy Burnham, the goal is to show the public that you’re trying to do something about the rising cost of living – and to convince Labour MPs that they were right to give you the job. But Burnham also has big plans to transform the country and this was a Budget more about tinkering than transformation. Yes, defense will get £5 billion more by letting the National Wealth Fund borrow off the public balance sheet to invest in defense companies.
