PM Burnham on taxes, “I won't be unrealistic, and people need to understand that”

Wednesday, August 26th 2026 - 08:25 UTC

“I ran Greater Manchester for 10 years and we ran a very tight ship with rock solid finances,” Burnham said.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has suggested tax rises could be on the cards in the coming Autumn Budget, warning “I won’t be unrealistic” over the state of the public purse. The PM quickly pledged to give people “breathing space” and ease the cost of living after taking the keys to No.10 last month.

But in fresh comments during his visit to Ukraine, Burnham acknowledged the fiscal pressures facing the UK and said his spending packages would be fully funded.

When pressed on whether he would need to raise taxes to cover spending gaps, he said: “I won’t be unrealistic, and people really need to understand that.