Andy Burnham’s watered-down 10-year plan set for delay in humiliating blow for PM

Speaking to the Commons in September, Mr Burnham insisted it would “set out plans for stronger public control over these essentials, making them work for people and places again”.

However, the Prime Minister admitted today the plan may not be presented to the British public until next year.

He told The Economist: “We may go into the new year, to be honest… December or January, I think we will need to leave that open.”

However, the Prime Minister insisted it will “lay out my very clear vision for Britain and it will be substantial”.

He added: “It will also be… compelling because I am weaving the different threads together, and I will do that.”

Yesterday, it emerged the long-promised plan will now consist of a single speech before Christmas and the publishing of a document which will be “slimmer than expected”, the New Statesman reported.

The plan’s announcement is expected to be followed by a six to nine-month-long consultation.

The possible delay to the Prime Minister’s blueprint for Britain comes after he told ITV News it was “going to come at the end of this year”.

“You’re talking 2027 to 2037, so it’s way beyond this Parliament,” he added.

On the steps of Downing Street in July, Mr Burnham used his first speech as Prime Minister to declare his 10-year plan will take Britain “from where we are now to where we all want Britain to be”.

Despite not yet being published, it is expected to contain a number of key themes, including reindustrialisation, devolution, infrastructure expansion and lowering the cost of living.

At PMQs on Wednesday, Tory Deputy Leader Alex Burghart mocked the proposals as he exchanged barbs with First Secretary of State Louise Haigh, who filled in for Mr Burnham while he is away in the Caribbean for a meeting of Commonwealth leaders.

Mr Burghart said: “It’s been briefed, however, that the Prime Minister is preparing a 10-year plan.

“I’m old enough to remember Keir Starmer’s 10-year plan because it was six months ago. This is the only political party in history to have two 10-year plans in 10 months.

“But given that the Labour Party is experimenting with planning, can it commit to reduce this record welfare bill, the highest welfare bill ever, as part of its 10-year plan?”

Ms Haigh clapped back: “The Honourable Gentleman can ask me the same question four or five times and I’m going to keep answering in the same way.

“We are taking steps already to bring the welfare bill down and we’ll take further; we’ve committed to legislate.

“But every week the opposition party comes and brings the same problems with the same messes that we inherited on welfare, on defence, on immigration, on the economy.

“This Labour Government is committed to tackling it all and no matter what he brings we are taking steps to deliver all of it.”

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