Prime Minister Burnham pressed on Budget, taxes, welfare and energy bills

The Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, was pressed on his Budget plans on Sunday, facing questions on spending cuts, taxes, welfare and energy bills. In a wide-ranging interview, he defended higher spending on social care, rough sleeping, bus fares and energy bills as preventative measures that save money later.

The interviewer challenged him to say what he would cut, noting government borrowing costs are rising and debt stands at 98% of the economy. Critics have called him 'Father Christmas' and 'Santa Burnham'. Burnham rejected the idea that he was avoiding hard choices, saying he would not do 'politics as usual' and that politics had let people down by backing away from difficult issues.

He said the fundamentals of the British economy had been moving in the right direction until the Middle East conflict, which pushed up fuel prices and energy costs. He promised to support people through the Budget on Tuesday in a 'highly prudent' way, and said he would not repeat the risks taken by the previous Conservative government, referring to the Liz Truss mini-budget.

On welfare, Burnham said he would like the welfare bill to fall by the next general election but would not commit to doing so. He argued that crude cuts push people into crisis and end up costing more, and said the country had 'paid for failure on a grand scale' with too many people in their 20s stuck on benefits. He blamed a lack of technical education and mental health support.

He also claimed the UK is the fastest-growing economy in the G7, crediting Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves for a turnaround. But the interviewer pointed to rising inflation, oil at £100 a barrel, and predictions that energy bills could rise by £500 from January. Financial markets are concerned about the health of the British economy, she said.

Asked whether he would back another runway at Heathrow, Burnham said a consultation was under way and the issue was contested in London. He said it was right to hear people's views before deciding, stopping short of a commitment. He also agreed with former business secretary Peter Kyle that growing the economy must be cared about as much as rough sleeping.

Burnham pointed to his record as Mayor of Greater Manchester, saying he had overseen the fastest-growing economy in the country. He said the Budget would show he is prepared to take difficult decisions.