Politics
Burnham opens first Labour conference as PM, vowing "hard decisions" before budget
September 28, 2026 at 03:26 AM · Updated 18d ago
Coverage
4 reports · 1 in Arabic, 3 in English · over 16 hours
BNBBC News
New NHS-style social care system could take decades, Dilnot says
(opens the publisher’s site)
TGThe Guardian
Andy Burnham shows his emotional side – podcast
(opens the publisher’s site)
AJAl Jazeera Arabic
بيرنهام أمام اختبار حزب العمال.. ما المطلوب منه الآن؟
(opens the publisher’s site)
TGThe Guardian
Burnham bounce gives Labour a second chance but budget realities are looming
(opens the publisher’s site)Labour opened its annual conference in Liverpool with Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledging stability and "hard decisions" before the October 28 budget.
- Labour opened its annual conference in Liverpool on Sunday, Burnham's first since he became party leader and prime minister in July.
- Burnham told the BBC he will use his Tuesday speech to explain "the direction" he wants to take the country, ready for "hard decisions."
- A YouGov poll published Thursday found 46% of Britons view Burnham favorably, with Labour leading voting intentions and Reform UK declining.
- Burnham announced at the conference opening he wants a national care service, free at the point of use, included in Labour's next manifesto.
- Economist Sir Andrew Dilnot told the BBC an NHS-style social care system could take decades and cost over £18bn a year.
- Dilnot said change 'is now further away' since any plan might not be implemented before the next general election.
- Dilnot noted his 15-year-old commission's £35,000 lifetime care cap was accepted but later dropped by governments.