Andy Burnham has stoked fresh fears he will introduce a punitive wealth tax after making a major supporter of the idea his No10 strategy chief.Matthew McGregor, who was appointed on Friday, said that hitting people with more than £10million in assets with the levy would be 'a highly popular way' of raising £24billion for the Treasury. In the foreword to a report released before the 2024 Budget he said the money could be used to fund the NHS and help 'struggling families', adding: 'This Budget is an opportunity for Keir Starmer's ''government of service'' to step up and serve the British public this winter, instead of the ultra-wealthy, by taking ambitious action on inequality.'Mr McGregor is a former CEO of the leftwing campaign group 38 degrees and previously worked for Hope Not Hate. He also worked on Barack Obama's 2012 US presidential re-election campaign.His appointment to a key role in No10 will raise fears that Mr Burnham's move to take Labour further to the Left will include a new wealth tax. Last week, his close ally, Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, hinted that it is under consideration, telling The i Paper voters must be shown what the levy would 'achieve' for a particular 'sector or area' so it was not seen as punitive towards people who have 'got a few bob'. Mr Burnham declined to rule out introducing a wealth tax on Wednesday, telling Gary Lineker's Goalhanger podcast: 'I do believe we need a greater sense of fairness and people feeling that things are being done in the right way and a fair way.'But at the same time, you know, I don't want to sort of be perceived as somebody who's coming in with grudges and agendas and, you know, going to just immediately find or demonise one group or create a new way of dividing people.' Matthew McGregor, who was appointed on Friday, said that hitting people with more than £10million in assets with the levy would be 'a highly popular way' of raising £24billion Mr Burnham declined to rule out introducing a wealth tax on Wednesday, telling Gary Lineker's Goalhanger podcast:'I do believe we need a greater sense of fairness'In 2024 Mr McGregor was also among the signatories of an open letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves demanding a wealth tax to pay for the impact of climate change.'Just as the government is using windfall taxes on the extortionate profits of oil and gas companies to help fairly fund our transition to clean energy, it is only fair that super-rich individuals – who possess vast wealth and are the biggest emitters – are also taxed more on their assets to ensure we successfully and fairly tackle the climate crisis and ultimately create a society that is more equal and just,' it said. Other signatories included the CEOs of Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, and it was endorsed by the trade union Unite. Mr Burnham is due to take power in No10 tomorrow as Sir Keir Starmer steps down, and has already pledged to undo some of his policies, including the flagship digital ID programme.Mr Burnham's team described the move as a 'reset of priorities', with money earmarked for implementing digital ID redirected to more 'tangible' improvements to people's lives.A spokesperson for the incoming prime minister said his Government would 'put its focus where people need it right now'.They added: 'That means all the time and resource that was going to be spent on a national ID scheme will go instead to where it's most needed, such as helping with the cost of living.'The Office for Budget Responsibility estimated last November that the programme would cost £1.8 billion over three years.Downing Street rejected this figure, but the Government did not provide an estimate of its own, which a parliamentary committee noted earlier this year left open the possibility it could cost more.Allies have said Mr Burnham intends to make a 'dynamic start' to his premiership and he is expected to use the speech to set out plans on the cost of living and highlight his core theme of devolving power from Whitehall to regions across the UK.Reports have suggested he could be preparing to break with another of Sir Keir's policies and approve further oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.Labour's 2024 manifesto, which Mr Burnham has promised to honour, said the party would not issue new North Sea licences, arguing they would 'not take a penny off bills' or improve energy security while accelerating climate change.But the incoming prime minister is said to be 'open-minded' about the policy.He could claim not to be breaking the manifesto pledge by approving projects at the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields, where licences have already been granted, while still not issuing any new licences.Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch has criticised Mr Burnham for not setting out his plans before Monday, describing his comments so far as 'airy-fairy stuff'.The Conservative leader told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg she thought Mr Burnham was 'a people pleaser' rather than someone who would make 'tough decisions'.Mr Burnham has pledged to reach out to other parties and end a culture of political 'point scoring' at Westminster.But Mrs Badenoch said she would 'score as many points as possible if it means the right thing for the country'.She added: 'What I'm not going to do is give Andy Burnham a blank cheque. This is a man who doesn't want scrutiny, he doesn't want anyone asking him tough questions, he just wants to be a people pleaser.'