Andy Burnham vows the biggest changes in 40 years - but not yet: Critics attack over delay to PM's blueprint for reform

By SAM MERRIMAN, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 00:49, 21 July 2026 | Updated: 00:51, 21 July 2026 Britain will have to wait until 'later this year' to be told of Andy Burnham's grand plan – despite his claims of being ready to hit the ground running. In his first speech as Prime Minister on Monday, the former Manchester mayor promised to 'bring back hope'. Standing on the steps of No10, he vowed to create a new 'political and economic model' as he insisted his coronation would herald the 'biggest changes' to the country for four decades. But last night both the Conservatives and Reform UK accused him of becoming Prime Minister without a plan, branding his speech 'slogans and empty words'. The Labour leader did offer a modicum of immediate policy yesterday, saying families would get some 'breathing space' when he unveils some cost of living measures. But the country could have to wait months for Mr Burnham's ten-year plan, with the Prime Minister saying only that his vision for Westminster politics and the economy will be revealed 'later this year'. 'We will make this moment a circuit breaker for Britain, bringing forward the biggest changes in the last 40 years. A new political model and new economic model,' he said. 'Later this year, I will bring forward a new plan for Britain, a ten-year plan, laying out a path from where we are now to where I believe we all want Britain to be.' Before his coronation, Mr Burnham told The Times that he was 'ready'. His right-hand woman Louise Haigh previously assured that he had been planning what he would do for 'at least the last year'. Britain will have to wait until the end of this year to hear of Andy Burnham's grand plan as Prime Minister In his first speech as Prime Minister on Monday, the former Manchester mayor promised to 'bring back hope' But Kemi Badenoch accused Mr Burnham of having become Prime Minister 'without having set out a clear plan for government'. The Tory leader said: 'Burnham has become Prime Minister first and is going to reveal his policies second. That is the wrong way round.' Reform's Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick criticised Mr Burnham for promising to set out his vision 'later in the year'. He said: 'I don't think that's good enough if you've spent months – years in the case of Andy Burnham – trying to become prime minister (and) undermining the last one. 'You should know exactly what you want to do if you want to lead this country and there was no evidence of that from what he said on the steps of Downing Street, which was just a collection of platitudes, slogans and empty words.' Mr Burnham used his maiden speech to promise to take power out of Westminster, offer more mental health support and build more council homes. He also vowed to set out cost of living measures – 'including how we pay for them' – from today, and said his first instruction on entering No10 will be to 'end rough sleeping in our country'.  Speaking without the lectern used by his predecessors, Mr Burnham said: 'We will help more young people into work by changing the education system and giving them more support, more mental health support. And we will build more council homes. That is the fair and sustainable way to bring the welfare bill down, to meet our fiscal rules, and to honour our commitments on defence to our international partners.' Vowing to 'build a new national sense of unity, of common purpose and positivity', he added: 'Let us make this the moment when Britain starts to believe again, the moment we bring back hope.' Tory leader Kemi Badenoch however accused the PM of coming into power with no plan The new Prime Minister said he will continue to watch his beloved Everton from his own seat in the stands – for now. Mr Burnham will keep his season ticket for next month's Premier League opener against Crystal Palace, as he tries to remain 'close to people'. He told The Times that retaining his usual spot at the Hill Dickinson Stadium was a 'commitment' which he will 'at least' try to keep. Where his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer used security as an excuse to watch Arsenal from the director's box, Mr Burnham said: 'I've got to find a way of keeping that, sitting in my own seat. It's the best thing I could do. Every game there would be a mega focus group on me.' Everton posted a message of congratulations to the 'Toffee at No10'. And club legend Peter Reid, a long-time friend of Mr Burnham's, was in Downing Street yesterday, telling Sky News that he'd told him: 'Congratulations. Get in there, lad!'