Andy Burnham accused of dodging proper scrutiny with 10-year plan speech to 'friendly crowd'

Andy Burnham has been accused of dodging MPs' scrutiny ahead of his much-trailed "10-year plan" speech in Manchester today.

The Makerfield MP will outline his plans for government to what critics have branded a "friendly crowd" in the North West - including greater devolved powers for authorities and a so-called "No10 in the North".

But Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has urged her soon-to-be Commons sparring partner to come back down south and front up to Parliament.

"Andy Burnham is days away from taking charge of the country and still has not told people the basics," Mrs Badenoch said. "Will he stick to the Labour manifesto? Will he borrow even more money? Will he fund the Defence Investment Plan so that our country is not at risk?

She said the "new Prime Minister" should properly set out his priorities in the Commons before summer recess on July 17, blasting: "A speech full of warm words to a friendly crowd is not a substitute for speaking at the Despatch Box, where MPs can question the substance of what he has said."

"If Andy Burnham wants to lead the country, he should be brave enough to answer MPs representing the length and breadth of the country on his plans for all our lives," she continued.

"Britain should not have to wait until September to find out what he intends to do - unless of course he himself does not know yet."

If no late Labour leadership contender emerges from the ranks in the coming weeks, Mr Burnham will take over the party on July 17 - and then the country three days later.

FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY...

Mel Stride joins Tory assault on Andy Burnham with chilling warning - 'All the signs are there!'

Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride last night joined the Tories' broadside against Andy Burnham, branding the Prime Minister-in-waiting's tax plans a "disaster".

"We are about to see what a real left-wing Government looks like," Sir Mel warned. "It's clear that Burnham will double down on the mistakes Starmer and Reeves have made.

"All the signs are that he has no ideas other than yet more borrowing, taxes and spending."

Though Mr Burnham is not expected to set out detailed tax policies in his "10-year plan" speech today, allies have suggested his programme could include a property tax which will punish Britons who enjoy valuable homes through careful planning or saving.

He may also hammer ambitious investors with an increase to capital gains tax - as well as a new form of "death tax".

So far, Mr Burnham has backed Labour's "fiscal rules" - but he is thought to believe they can be stretched to allow the state to borrow billions of pounds more.

RECAP: Andy Burnham to unveil 10-year plan for power in major speech outlining how he will govern as PM

Andy Burnham will pledge to give Britain the "circuit-breaker it needs" in his major speech unveiling his plans for devolution and the economy with ambitions for a decade of Labour government.

In Manchester, he will confirm a flagship proposal to move part of his prime ministerial operation to the North of England, and outline his plans for "good growth in every postcode" with what allies have billed as the largest transfer of power out of Whitehall in modern times.

In a mirror to two-year Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's own former pledges, Mr Burnham will also detail his plans for a "10-year mission" to raise living standards through reindustrialisation, housing, infrastructure and reform of essential utilities.

Mr Burnham will set out plans to boost economic growth by giving regional mayors more control over social housing, welfare and post-16 education, according to The Times.

But that sparked warnings of leaving No10 rudderless - just as the country stares at war abroad, a ballooning benefits bill at home and a migrant crisis on the South Coast.

Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake MP dismissed Mr Burnham’s plans as "the politics of distraction", saying Mr Burnham's "big idea" is to "shuffle power between politicians, not fix the welfare system".

READ THE FULL STORY ON ANDY BURNHAM'S PLAN FOR POWER HERE

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter