Politics · 13 June 2026
Burnham plans welfare cuts to boost defence
Unsplash / DON JACKSON-WYATT
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has put forward a proposal for an increased national defense budget, to be funded by decreased social welfare spending. As a prominent candidate for the Labour leadership, he is contesting the Makerfield by-election, an event he has described as a "mega focus group." Burnham stated he's "not squeamish" about reducing the amount spent on benefits.
Reported by Independent · How we write briefs