Story perspectives

Burnham Vows Wealth-Tax Childcare, Council Homes, Faces Reform

5/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Andy Burnham pledged to fund a restoration of Sure Start childcare centres using a wealth tax and to allocate the £39 billion affordable-housing fund to council homes while considering a social-care levy and abolishing inheritance tax.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will appear on the campaign trail to support Andy Burnham in Makerfield.
Andy Burnham will face Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon, backed by Nigel Farage, in a constituency where Reform won every ward.

History

Historical Context

Tony Blair’s 1998 launch of Sure Start, backed by £540 million to create 250 local programmes serving up to 150,000 deprived children, marked New Labour’s early-years push. After the 2003 transfer to local councils and later cuts, Labour figures such as Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner now pledge to revive the centres, echoing the original welfare reforms.

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Story summary

Andy Burnham pledged to fund a restoration of Sure Start childcare centres using a wealth tax and to allocate the £39 billion affordable-housing fund to council homes while considering a social-care levy and abolishing inheritance tax.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will appear on the campaign trail to support Andy Burnham in Makerfield.
Andy Burnham will face Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon, backed by Nigel Farage, in a constituency where Reform won every ward.

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