Overview

• Speaking on the fringe of Labour’s Liverpool conference, Andy Burnham rejected claims he is "hopeless" on the economy and pointed to Greater Manchester’s financial record.
• He outlined an alternative programme that includes directing about £40bn of housing funds to council homes and pursuing land value tax reform alongside a review of council tax.
• Chancellor Rachel Reeves warned that advocating more borrowing risks a Liz Truss-style market reaction, a framing Burnham said misrepresented his position.
• He distanced himself from the government’s compulsory digital ID timetable with a "Not now" response, as a reported petition opposing the plan passed two million signatures.
• Burnham affirmed support for Keir Starmer and said he remains committed to his mayoralty, while declining to rule out a future bid or detail any talks with MPs about a Commons return.