Andy Burnham to face first PMQs as borrowing costs rise – UK politics live
This story was selected and curated by our editorial team in the Andy Burnham category. Published on September 2, 2026 • Originally reported by Andrew Sparrow. OMEGAZEPRIME provides independent news coverage and analysis for our readers. Stay informed with the latest developments.
PMQs comes as Resolution Foundation says it is not ‘realistic’ to think defence spending can increase without tax rises
Sally Jameson, a Cabinet Office minister, was the No 10 voice on TV and radio this morning. In interviews, she insisted that Andy Burnham did take fiscal responsibility seriously.
Asked about Jim O’Neill’s claim that Burnham’s tone in the comments yesterday would have concerned investors, (see 9.36am) she told Sky News she did not agree. She explained:
I think it’s important we don’t over-read into individual comments people make, because I think Andy Burnham has been really clear that we are going to stick to those fiscal rules rigidly, and that fiscal responsibility is absolutely imperative.
We’ve got to have controls on spending, and I don’t think Andy or anyone else has said any different to that.
Yes, I think it is.
Unfortunately, we do have a circus built around our budgets, which actually does not happen in many other countries. There is a whole industry of people … to create expectations and then dash those expectations, and I think we are going to face a very dicky period between now and the budget.
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