Prime Minister Andy Burnham's 10-year plan for government has drawn concern from Labour MPs, who say it will not be radical or detailed enough. The Reindustrialisation Research Group is meeting Cabinet Office minister Sally Jameson on Wednesday to share its concerns about the strategy.
Burnham has billed the plan as the defining blueprint for what he wants to achieve in government, including bringing utilities under public control, reducing bills and establishing a national care service. Many MPs are concerned that the government is not yet matching its rhetoric with policy support.
Andy MacNae, the head of the group, said: "There are a lot of gaps in the government's reindustrialisation strategy which are not yet filled. The 10-year plan is a chance to fill them, but in the briefings we have been given that is not what we are seeing." He added: "The risk is we don't see reindustrialisation at all, and continue to see deindustrialisation."
Another member, Jonathan Hinder, said: "Making reindustrialisation cannot just be about political slogans. We are going in the wrong direction and we need pretty drastic action, but we are not yet seeing that from this government."
The group had called for the chancellor, John Healey, to expand the British industrial competitiveness scheme, which reduces energy costs for businesses, before the budget. However, Healey instead announced a £100 council tax rebate for households, leaving business support unchanged.
The MPs are also calling for the prime minister to create a minister for reindustrialisation and to empower No 10 North in Manchester to oversee the agenda.
Some MPs say they are concerned by recent ministerial briefings which they say suggest the plan will be a modest document subject to lengthy consultation, and that they are unclear who is leading its drafting. Peter Hyman, a former adviser to Keir Starmer, is reported to be overseeing the process, though officials insist Burnham himself will make the key decisions. Many MPs say they are worried about the involvement of Boston Consulting Group (BCG), which previously employed Burnham's chief of staff James Purnell. One MP said: "The idea that BCG are going to be involved in reindustrialising Britain feels like a tragic joke."
Downing Street said BCG is only providing one consultant to assist with the process.
Burnham has said the plan will be more radical than many think. In an interview with the Economist last week, he said: "People are underestimating the significance of this. There's been briefing around this week, inaccurate briefing … to try and play [it] down. I will lay out my very clear vision for Britain, and it will be substantial, and it will also be, in my view, compelling because I am weaving the different threads together."
MPs had been told to expect the plan before the end of the year, but last week Burnham said it could be delayed until January.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The 10-year plan is central to Burnham's premiership and Labour's electoral promises, particularly in former industrial 'red wall' seats.
- Dissatisfaction within the parliamentary party could weaken Burnham's authority and complicate delivery of the plan.
- The outcome will signal the government's commitment to reindustrialisation and energy-intensive industries.
Background
The 10-year plan is Burnham's flagship policy, intended to bring utilities under public control, reduce household bills and establish a national care service. The Reindustrialisation Research Group consists of Labour MPs from former industrial 'red wall' seats that were key to Labour's 2024 election victory. The group has been pushing for stronger government support for manufacturing and lower energy costs for businesses.
Key Perspectives
- Reindustrialisation Research Group: Says the plan lacks detail and urgency, with insufficient measures to address high energy costs and deindustrialisation, and needs immediate action on business energy support and a dedicated minister.
- Andy Burnham: Insists the plan will be substantial and radical, accusing critics of inaccurate briefing and underestimating its significance.
What to Watch
- The outcome of the ReRG meeting with Sally Jameson and whether it yields concrete changes to the plan.
- Publication date: whether the plan slips from the end of 2024 to January, and what it contains on business energy costs and reindustrialisation.
- Signs of wider party rebellion if the final plan fails to meet the group's demands.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedLabour MPs warn that Burnham’s 10-year plan will not be radical enough.World news | The Guardian: “Labour MPs have sounded the alarm over Andy Burnham’s 10-year plan for government, raising concerns that it will not be radical or detailed enough.”
- SupportedThe Reindustrialisation Research Group cites gaps in the strategy as a concern.World news | The Guardian: “Andy MacNae, the head of the group, said: “There are a lot of gaps in the government’s reindustrialisation strategy which are not yet filled.””
- SupportedBurnham says the plan will be substantial.World news | The Guardian: “I will lay out my very clear vision for Britain, and it will be substantial”
- SupportedThe Reindustrialisation Research Group is meeting Cabinet Office minister Sally Jameson on Wednesday to share its concerns.World news | The Guardian: “MPs in the Reindustrialisation Research Group (ReRG) ... are meeting Sally Jameson, the Cabinet Office minister, on Wednesday to share their concerns”
- SupportedAndy MacNae said there were gaps in the government’s strategy and the 10-year plan was a chance to fill them, but the briefings did not show that happening.World news | The Guardian: “There are a lot of gaps in the government’s reindustrialisation strategy which are not yet filled. The 10-year plan is a chance to fill them, but in the briefings we have been given that is not what we are seeing.”
- SupportedAndy MacNae warned that reindustrialisation might not happen and deindustrialisation might continue.World news | The Guardian: “The risk is we don’t see reindustrialisation at all, and continue to see deindustrialisation.”
- SupportedJonathan Hinder said reindustrialisation cannot be just political slogans, the country is going in the wrong direction and drastic action is needed.World news | The Guardian: “Making reindustrialisation cannot just be about political slogans. We are going in the wrong direction and we need pretty drastic action, but we are not yet seeing that from this government.”
- SupportedAn MP said BCG’s involvement in reindustrialising Britain felt like a tragic joke.World news | The Guardian: “One MP said: “The idea that BCG are going to be involved in reindustrialising Britain feels like a tragic joke.””
- SupportedBurnham said his vision would be substantial and compelling because he was weaving different threads together.World news | The Guardian: “I will lay out my very clear vision for Britain, and it will be substantial, and it will also be, in my view, compelling because I am weaving the different threads together.”
- SupportedHealey announced a £100 council tax rebate for households and did not announce changes to the business support scheme.World news | The Guardian: “the chancellor used his budget to announce a £100 council tax rebate to help households pay their energy bills over the winter, he did not announce changes to the business support scheme.”
- SupportedDowning Street said BCG is providing only one consultant to help with the process.World news | The Guardian: “Downing Street has said BCG is only providing one consultant to help with the process”
- SupportedBurnham said last week that the plan could be delayed until January.World news | The Guardian: “the prime minister said last week it could be delayed until January.”