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Burnham pledges decade plan for public energy and water control

9/1/2026

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Burnham Pushes Public Ownership

Prime Minister Andy Burnham addressed the House of Commons on Tuesday, 31 August 2026, pledging to increase public control of essential services.
Public ownership, he said, would keep utilities affordable for families.
Burnham outlined a decade-long plan to bring energy and water utilities into public hands.
The bus fare was set at £2 for all travel under the reform plan.

Right

Burnham Pushes Ownership

Prime Minister Andy Burnham addressed the House of Commons on Tuesday, 31 August 2026, pledging to increase public control of essential services.
Business leaders warned the plans would stunt growth, with retailer Mike Ashley calling them populist.
Asda chairman Allan Leighton said it is unknown if business taxes will be halted.
Burnham announced a review limited to pubs and hotels.
Asda reported a 0.2% like-for-like sales rise by 18 August.

History

Historical Context

After World II Labour Prime Minister Clement Attlee passed the Electricity Act 1947, creating the British Electricity Authority in 1948 which absorbed more than 600 small power firms and established area boards. The same wave nationalised gas under the 1948 Gas Act. Today, regional leader Andy Burnham is urging a return to public ownership of energy and water utilities, recalling those post-war reforms.

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Burnham Pushes Public Ownership

Prime Minister Andy Burnham addressed the House of Commons on Tuesday, 31 August 2026, pledging to increase public control of essential services.
Public ownership, he said, would keep utilities affordable for families.
Burnham outlined a decade-long plan to bring energy and water utilities into public hands.
The bus fare was set at £2 for all travel under the reform plan.

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