Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham's plans for a radical political and economic reset are running into hard budgetary constraints, according to Guardian columnist Heather Stewart. The piece argues that ambitions for major public spending and reform run up against weak economic conditions and tight fiscal limits, making the promised overhaul far harder to deliver than promised, and sparking debate about the credibility of his agenda.

Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor widely seen as a potential future Labour leader, has promised to make social care reform the central issue of his next election campaign. He is pressing for a long-term funding settlement for adult social care, an issue that has repeatedly been postponed by successive UK governments despite rising demand and pressure on councils.

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has been warned that he cannot wait until the next general election to begin the process of rejoining the European Union. The message reflects growing impatience among pro-EU voices who argue the groundwork for closer ties with Brussels must start now rather than be deferred until after the next election.