Andy Burnham has told MPs he will present his 10-year plan for Britain to the Commons before it rises for the Christmas recess, a week after he said the plan might not appear until the new year.
The Prime Minister gave the commitment at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday after Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, pressed him on when the plan would be published. He has not said what form it will take.
The timing is the new element. In an interview with The Economist published around 5 November, Burnham said the plan "may go into the new year" and that there was no "firm landing zone for it yet". The Telegraph reported on 8 November that the accompanying speech would probably slip to January. HuffPost UK, which reported Wednesday's exchange, described the Commons answer as a U-turn.
The plan itself dates from Burnham's first day in office. Standing outside 10 Downing Street on 20 July, he said: "Later this year, I will bring forward a new plan for Britain, a 10-year plan, laying out a path from where we are now to where I believe we all want Britain to be." He repeated at his first PMQs on 2 September that it would come before the end of the year.
On Wednesday he told Badenoch, as quoted by HuffPost UK: "I did walk up Downing Street promising a 10-year plan for this country because I am determined to give this country the stability that they failed to provide.
"I am determined to give the leadership that this country needs and I can say to her we will present our plan for Britain to this House before it rises for the Christmas recess."
According to HuffPost UK, the Commons is due to rise for Christmas on 17 December.
Badenoch used her question to claim the government had brought in outside help to write the document. "I'm not surprised he has asked management consultants to help write his plan – he needs all the help he can get," she said, according to Brit Brief. No 10 has not confirmed that consultants are involved, and Badenoch did not name any firm.
The pledge follows a fortnight of reports that the plan has shrunk. The New Statesman reported in early November that it would consist of a speech before Christmas and a document that "may be 'slimmer than expected'", opening a consultation lasting six to nine months. The magazine's account relied on anonymous sources and the government has not confirmed it.
Burnham rejected that account in his Economist interview, calling it "inaccurate briefing" and saying the plan would be "substantial". He added: "But it's definitely not going to be what has been briefed this week."
Ministers have described the plan as a blueprint for running the country until 2037, according to Press Association copy. The Telegraph has reported that it may include merging the DVLA with the DVSA, a proposal the Department for Transport has not confirmed.
The Conservatives have sought to link the plan to the one Keir Starmer promised before he resigned as Labour leader in June. Alex Burghart, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, said: "I'm old enough to remember Keir Starmer's 10-year plan because it was six months ago. This is the only political party in history to have two 10-year plans in 10 months."
Burnham became Prime Minister on 20 July after winning the Labour leadership three days earlier. He entered the Commons as MP for Makerfield at a by-election on 18 June.
Wednesday's commitment covers presenting the plan to the House. Downing Street has not said whether that means a full published document, a white paper or a statement accompanying a speech.
Join the Discussion
Have something to say? Join the conversation!
Sign in to share your thoughts and engage with other readers.
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this article!