Burnham's income tax pledge if he becomes PM

Andy Burnham has vowed not to raise income tax, VAT, or employee national insurance rates if he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester launched his campaign as Labour’s candidate for the Makerfield by-election on Friday, promising to lower energy and water bills – and oversee the largest building of council house building “since the Second World War”.

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.

And, in a sign he is seeking to project a disciplined economic message, Burnham told reporters on Friday that he is “committed” to Labour’s manifesto promise not to increase taxes on working people.

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