Welcome to kite-flying season. With exactly two months to go until Andy Burnham and John Healey’s first Budget, we’re beginning to get a shape of what’s likely to happen. The headline is that they want this to be a nothing fiscal event. Headroom will be maintained, minor cost of living interventions will be funded and

Andy Burnham has hinted at raising taxes and there is one last untapped reserve he could try

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has refused to rule out tax rises as mounting borrowing costs and spending pressures squeeze the government ahead of the Autumn Budget.