Unite the Union welcomes Andy Burnham’s speech and calls for plan to deal with ‘rampant inequality’

Unite the Union, Britain’s largest trade union and the Labour Party’s biggest financial backer, has welcomed Andy Burnham’s first major policy speech as he sets out his vision for the country ahead of his expected appointment as Prime Minister.

Burnham delivered what was billed as the most significant speech of his career yesterday, as he launched his bid to replace Keir Starmer, saying that his was a 10 year plan to rewire Britain so that it would work for everyone and raise living standards.

He placed devolution at the heart of his speech, pledging the ‘biggest rebalancing of power our country has seen’, advocating for significant devolution to transfer authority from Whitehall to local levels, as well as a more collaborative approach across Westminster, and Number 10 in the North.

Reacting to his speech, Sharon Graham, General Secretary of Unite, welcomed Burnham’s vision for the country, saying that it showed he was ‘listening’ to the issues raised by the union.

She said: “It is clear that Andy has been in listening mode. Britain needs a vision that deals with its current rampant inequality and jobs vacuum. Actions will speak louder than words but this is the start of a discussion about a better path for workers and communities.

“His promise to reindustrialise our regions and nations with support for UK steel, defence, energy, food and agriculture is much needed. As is his plan to bring our utilities, like water, energy and transport, back into public control and his proposal to revise our procurement rules to ensure taxpayers money is used to buy British. These are all things Unite has long argued for.

“The breathing space that he spoke about will also be vital for everyday people who have been hit with frozen tax thresholds and rising energy prices during a cost-of-living crisis. These issues need to be addressed.”