Andy Burnham entered Downing Street on 24 July 2026 promising to be “the prime minister for the whole country.” Two weeks on, the early verdict from voters is striking: a More in Common poll puts his net approval rating at +19, higher than Sir Keir Starmer achieved at any point during his premiership.
But the policy record is more complicated than the polling suggests. Burnham has made a string of high-profile announcements across tax, energy, immigration, housing, criminal justice, and devolution. Some are already being implemented; others are statements of intent. Chancellor John Healey’s first Budget on 28 October is when the bill comes due.
Here is every major pledge from Burnham’s first two weeks, with context and reaction.
1. Prisons and criminal justice
Reversing the early release of serious offenders became the first major test of the new government. Burnham “personally intervened” to revise the SDS40 scheme, excluding rapists, serious child sex offenders, and the killers of emergency service workers. The change was driven by political pressure from the families of victims, including the family of PC Andrew Harper.
What it means: A modest narrowing of an existing scheme, not a wholesale reversal. Domestic abusers and some manslaughter offenders remain eligible for early release.
Reaction: The Conservatives have called for primary legislation in September. Refuge and the Domestic Abuse Commissioner criticised the decision to retain early release for domestic abusers.
2. Energy and the North Sea
Within days of taking office, Burnham faced decisions on the Jackdaw gas field, 150 miles east of Aberdeen, and the Rosebank oil field, north-west of Shetland. A consultation on Jackdaw closed in early August. The Rosebank consultation closes on 18 August.
Burnham has signalled he is minded to approve Jackdaw, citing jobs and energy security, but has stopped short of a final decision on Rosebank.
What it means: A pragmatic split from the previous government’s caution. US President Donald Trump has publicly backed new drilling.
Reaction: Greenpeace has threatened a further legal challenge. The GMB union welcomed the consultation outcome on Jackdaw.
3. Cost of living
Greater Manchester mayor-turned-PM Andy Burnham has announced a package of cost-of-living measures including a freeze on prescription charges, an extension of the Household Support Fund, and a new “energy social tariff” for low-income households. The energy social tariff is the most significant new policy and is the centrepiece of a planned reshuffle of Ofgem’s price-cap framework.
What it means: The energy social tariff will need primary legislation and is unlikely to be in force before winter 2027. The prescription freeze and Household Support Fund extension can be implemented through existing budgets.
Reaction: Consumer groups welcomed the announcements. Energy companies warned the tariff could be funded by an increase in standing charges for other customers.
4. Immigration
Burnham has committed to publishing a new immigration strategy in the autumn. He has so far given little detail beyond a general statement that the system needs to be “controlled, fair, and able to respond to skills shortages.”
He has separately announced a new visa route for scientists, designed to attract researchers to UK universities. The route is an expansion of the existing Global Talent visa.
What it means: The wider immigration strategy is the area where the new government has said the least. Expect significant pre-Budget leaks to test reaction.
Reaction: Universities welcomed the scientist visa expansion. Business groups said the wider strategy must address care-sector shortages.
5. Housing
Burnham has set a target of building 300,000 new homes per year by the end of the parliament, with a particular focus on social and affordable housing. The target matches Labour’s 2024 manifesto commitment but is more ambitious than the previous government’s revised target of 250,000.
He has also announced a new “first homes” discount scheme for first-time buyers under 35 in areas of high demand, funded by a reform of the existing Help to Buy equity loan scheme.
What it means: The 300,000 target has not been hit in any year since 1977. Achieving it would require significant planning reform and infrastructure spending.
Reaction: The housebuilding industry broadly welcomed the announcement. Planning reform campaigners said the target will not be met without changes to the planning system that have not yet been outlined.
6. Devolution
True to his Greater Manchester roots, Burnham has announced a new English Devolution Bill, which would give combined authorities new powers over transport, skills, and housing. The bill is expected in the King’s Speech in November.
He has also confirmed that the mayoral devolution deals negotiated under the previous government will be honoured.
What it means: A significant expansion of mayoral power outside London. Combined authorities currently have limited and inconsistent powers.
Reaction: Metro mayors broadly welcomed the announcement. Some Conservative council leaders expressed concern about accountability.
7. Net zero and planning
Burnham has confirmed the legal target of net zero by 2050 but has signalled a more flexible approach to delivery. He has commissioned a review of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendations, with a particular focus on the pace of decarbonisation of the electricity grid and the cost to households.
He has separately announced a streamlining of the planning process for onshore wind projects, reversing de facto restrictions introduced by the previous government.
What it means: A shift in tone, not in target. The Climate Change Committee is to be retained but its workload is to be reviewed.
Reaction: Environmental groups cautiously welcomed the planning announcement. Business groups urged the government not to row back on existing decarbonisation timetables.
8. Health and the NHS
Burnham has announced a 10-year plan for the NHS, to be published in spring 2027, with a focus on shifting care from hospitals to community settings. He has also confirmed the previous government’s commitment to a new hospital-building programme but has paused several projects for a value-for-money review.
What it means: Continuity on the long-term direction; uncertainty on the timing of capital projects.
Reaction: Health unions broadly welcomed the shift to community care. The British Medical Association expressed concern about the capital review.
What the chancellor’s Budget will need to fund
John Healey’s first Budget on 28 October is where the cost of these pledges becomes clear. The Office for Budget Responsibility has pencilled in a fiscal headroom of around £15 billion against the previous government’s plans, but that figure is widely seen as optimistic.
Specific fiscal pressure points include:
- The energy social tariff (likely £2-3 billion per year)
- The first homes discount scheme (likely £1.5-2 billion in capital)
- New prison places (£0.5-1 billion per year)
- Increased NHS capital spending after the value-for-money review
Tax rises, including possible changes to capital gains tax, inheritance tax, and the pensions tax relief, are widely expected.
Frequently asked questions
What is Andy Burnham’s approval rating?
A More in Common poll in early August put his net approval rating at +19, higher than any rating achieved by Sir Keir Starmer during his time in office.
When is the first Budget under the new government?
Chancellor John Healey’s first Budget is on 28 October 2026.
Has Burnham changed the net zero target?
No. The 2050 target remains. He has commissioned a review of how it is to be delivered.
What is the energy social tariff?
A discounted energy tariff for low-income households, funded by a reform of Ofgem’s price-cap framework. The detail will be in the October Budget.
Sources
- The Independent, “All the policy pledges Andy Burnham has made after two weeks as prime minister,” 3 August 2026
- BBC News, “Prisoner release row proving to be Burnham’s first big test as PM,” 7 August 2026
- Politico London Playbook, “Burnham’s difficult choices begin,” 4 August 2026
- More in Common poll, August 2026
- Office for Budget Responsibility, July 2026 Fiscal Risks and Sustainability report