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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor

Tax promises, defence targets and Iran: Andy Burnham’s budget headaches

Andy Burnham speaks to John Healey in an outdoors area
Andy Burnham and the chancellor of the exchequer, John Healey, pictured in Sheffield in July, face many of the same problems as their predecessors. Photograph: Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA

When Andy Burnham made his first speech after returning as an MP, he promised that as prime minister he would oversee “the most significant change moment in our politics for 40 years”. His style, direction and communication has been a big shift from Keir Starmer’s approach, but as he heads into the autumn, the new prime minister faces some very similar problems.

With an early budget in late October, and worsening economic circumstances, Burnham has made promises and commitments that put him in a tight spot. Here are some of the constraints over the coming months that Burnham and the chancellor, John Healey, must contend with in their autumn budget.

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