Sir Keir Starmer will seek to regain control of the political agenda on Thursday with a series of announcements on the cost of living and giving power to local communities. Westminster remains focused on the Makerfield by-election, now confirmed for June 18, and the possibility of a leadership challenge by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.
Allies of Mr Burnham have suggested he may not launch a bid for the top job immediately if he returns to Westminster. Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell, who supported his previous bid to fight a by-election in Gorton and Denton, told LBC she did not 'expect that's what Andy's coming in to do.' But a contest is widely expected after Mr Burnham's call for a 'new path' and promise to 'change Labour.'
That expectation has led to speculation over what policies the mayor would pursue in Downing Street, including reports he could continue with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's plan to significantly extend the time immigrants must wait to receive permanent residency. Mr Burnham's team would not comment on reports in the Guardian that he would support the proposal to increase the wait for indefinite leave to remain from five years to between 10 and 20 years.
Away from the by-election, ministers will seek to move on from speculation about Sir Keir's future with a focus on policy. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announce plans to cut tariffs on some food products in order to mitigate the impact of the Iran war. She will also announce the introduction of free bus travel for children during August, after the Government's decision to postpone a rise in fuel duty planned for September.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed will also use a speech on Thursday to set out proposals to give local communities more power over their areas. His proposals include minimum standards for services such as pothole repairs and street cleaning, and powers to limit the number of vape shops and gambling businesses on high streets.
Defending his Government's record in The Times, the Prime Minister insisted his policies were delivering results. 'In a time of conflict and global economic strife, governments have to be active and interventionist to change the failing status quo,' Sir Keir said. 'That is what we're doing in the UK and we are delivering results.'
'Yesterday we struck our fifth trade deal in less than two years, finalising a new agreement with the six economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council… the UK is the first G7 economy to deliver a trade agreement with this group.' He added: 'By slashing tariffs in key areas like food, medical equipment and advanced manufacturing, as well as boosting access for our services providers, our economy stands to gain around £3.7 billion each year from this deal, supporting thousands of well-paid jobs. This means a boost of £1.9 billion a year to real wages for working people.'
'Previous governments weakened our global connections. They damaged our ability to trade and navigate international crises. I pledged we would be different and we have delivered by removing international trade barriers for British businesses at an unprecedented rate. In total we have secured £360 billion of investment into the UK since the general election, securing around 170,000 jobs.'
Meanwhile, campaigning will continue in Makerfield, where Mr Burnham faces Reform UK's Robert Kenyon, who contested the seat in 2024, and Conservative Michael Winstanley, who last stood in the constituency in 1997. The Green Party and the Liberal Democrats are yet to announce their candidates.
