Burnham Promises New Social Contract, Warns Welfare And Pensions Must Fund Change

Prime Minister Andy Burnham used a Labour Party conference speech on Tuesday to promise “a new social contract for the 21st century” while warning that the money for change would have to come from welfare and pension spending.

A broad agenda for government

Burnham, described as the new British prime minister, set out plans to rethink Britain’s ties with the EU and reset the country’s relationship with its European neighbours.

He also pledged reform of Britain’s electoral system and promised a new social care service.

The speech was delivered to the centre-left Labour Party’s annual conference two months after Burnham became leader of the UK’s governing party.

Promise of reform, warning on cost

Burnham presented a crowd-pleasing vision that included more social housing, better education and more affordable care for the elderly.

At the same time, he acknowledged that economic constraints made the delivery of his plans a major political risk.

“Small things will not get us through what are difficult times,” Burnham said in what was described as a tough-love speech.

His warning on welfare and pension spending matters because it places the cost of his programme at the centre of the political argument around reforms he is proposing.

Source: South China Morning Post