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Burnham Announces Great British Grid to Cut Energy Costs

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 11:23 PM UTC · How we work

Center

Nationalising Utilities

Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivered a speech at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool on 29 September 2026.
The Great British Grid, a publicly owned electricity network, was announced to lower energy costs within ten years.
He said the 1980s ban on water ownership would be reversed, allowing nationalisation of failing firms.
Councils would be given authority to take over rental homes from landlords who refuse repairs.

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EU Reengagement Plan

Prime Minister Andy Burnham addressed the Labour Party conference in Liverpool on 29 September 2026.
The speech condemned Brexit as largely harmful and announced an EU summit to examine relationship options, leaving open the possibility of re-joining.
Pension triple-lock will be adjusted from 2030, tying rises to inflation or a 2.5% floor.
A cross-party commission will be created to replace first-past-the-post with proportional representation.

History

Historical Context

In 1947 Labour passed the Electricity Act, and on 1 April 1948 it merged over 600 private and municipal firms into the state-run British Electricity Authority and 14 area boards, ending fragmented supply. At the 2026 Labour conference, Andy Burnham cited that precedent while unveiling a publicly owned Great British Grid, water nationalisation and an EU re-entry summit.

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Nationalising Utilities

Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivered a speech at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool on 29 September 2026.
The Great British Grid, a publicly owned electricity network, was announced to lower energy costs within ten years.
He said the 1980s ban on water ownership would be reversed, allowing nationalisation of failing firms.
Councils would be given authority to take over rental homes from landlords who refuse repairs.

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