Burnham heads into Labour conference as Cabinet rows erupt

Migration, growth and workers' rights expose divisions inside Labour as the new PM prepares for his first conference speech

Labour's conference civil war

Andy Burnham arrives in Liverpool for his first Labour conference as Prime Minister with his party already fighting on two of the biggest issues facing his government: immigration and the economy.

Angela Rayner has renewed her attack on Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's plans to make migrants wait considerably longer before qualifying for permanent settlement, saying the changes would “change the goalposts” for people already living and working in Britain.

The proposals would extend the route to permanent residence from five years to as much as 15 years for some foreign workers, including people who came to Britain on social care visas.

But Rayner's intervention was publicly challenged by fellow Cabinet minister Lisa Nandy, who backed Mahmood and said the Home Secretary had the support of the Cabinet. The disagreement has exposed an unusually public split just as Labour gathers for its annual conference.

Then the economy blows up

A second row is developing over growth.

Former business secretary Peter Kyle has warned that Burnham needs to move with greater urgency to get the economy growing, arguing that some planned workers' rights reforms could be delayed to avoid putting additional costs and regulation on businesses in the short term.

Kyle's intervention is significant because it comes from a former member of the Starmer Cabinet and opens another front for Burnham just as he prepares to set out his economic agenda.

The Prime Minister has acknowledged that the economic outlook is difficult, with global shocks including the Iran conflict adding inflationary pressure and increasing borrowing costs. He has said maintaining fiscal stability will be crucial before the Government can tackle some of its bigger ambitions.

And Heathrow takes another hit

The Government's growth ambitions have also been hit by news that Heathrow's proposed third runway is likely to be delayed until 2039 — four years later than previously expected.

That leaves Burnham facing a familiar political problem before he has even delivered his conference speech: Labour's competing priorities are beginning to collide.

More workers' rights can mean additional costs for employers. Tougher immigration rules can affect sectors that rely heavily on overseas workers. And attempts to stimulate growth require investment at a time when the Government says its finances are under pressure.

Burnham's answer: get people moving

On the eve of conference, Burnham announced a new first-time-buyer scheme designed to allow some buyers to purchase new-build homes with a deposit of just 2.5 per cent.

The scheme will provide a 20 per cent government equity loan, with Labour saying the money will come from reprioritising existing budgets.

On a £230,000 property, that would mean a deposit of £5,750 and an equity loan of up to £46,000.

It is a clear attempt to give the conference a positive domestic message — but the rows surrounding it are proving harder to ignore.

The first big test

Burnham's conference opens with him trying to establish the direction of a government that has only recently changed hands, while senior Labour figures are publicly arguing over migration, growth and workers' rights.

He will deliver his first major conference speech as Labour leader and Prime Minister on Tuesday. Other senior figures have already said immigration will have to be addressed, while Burnham has insisted he can deliver change despite the difficult economic conditions.

The conference was supposed to be Burnham's opportunity to set the agenda.

Instead, Labour's own ministers have started writing one for him.

SOURCE

14 minutes ago, Social Media said:

On the eve of conference, Burnham announced a new first-time-buyer scheme designed to allow some buyers to purchase new-build homes with a deposit of just 2.5 per cent.

The scheme will provide a 20 per cent government equity loan, with Labour saying the money will come from reprioritising existing budgets.

Where's @Chomper Higgot ?

Quick question Chopper. Is that political speak for budget cuts ?

A list of those budgets would be interesting 😀😀

58 minutes ago, The Cyclist said:

Where's @Chomper Higgot ?

Quick question Chopper. Is that political speak for budget cuts ?

A list of those budgets would be interesting 😀😀

Sorry am I not giving you the attention you demonstrably crave?

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

Sorry am I not giving you the attention you demonstrably crave?

Not quite

But I am always open to a good chuckle

And I thought my comment was self explanatory, especially for someone who constantly howls about cuts.

Edited 59 minutes ago59 min by The Cyclist

1 minute ago, The Cyclist said:

Not quite

But I am always open to a good chuckle

You might want to try dating sites, this isn’t one.

1 minute ago, Chomper Higgot said:

You might want to try dating sites, this isn’t one.

Ahhhh

Is that what Dummie is ?

You crack on, I have no need for dating sites.