Andy Burnham to call for cultural shift to boost UK entrepreneurship
Andy Burnham will meet business leaders at Downing Street, urging a cultural change to better support risk-takers and innovators.
Andy Burnham is set to address a Downing Street audience of entrepreneurs and corporate chiefs, calling for a "culture shift" that puts government on the side of risk-taking businesses. The agenda includes a roundtable with founders of Octopus Energy, Revolut and Starling Bank, and a subsequent reception with senior executives from HSBC, Rolls-Royce, Morrisons, BAE and Shell. Burnham’s remarks come as Chancellor John Healey prepares his first budget amid higher borrowing costs, low growth and the fallout from the Iran war.
Economists warn that rising energy prices could further dampen momentum, putting pressure on fiscal space. Both Burnham and Healey say they will adhere to Labour’s fiscal rules and the party’s pledge not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT, while opposition critic Julia Lopez urges tax cuts and welfare reductions to spur growth.
Why it matters
The meeting signals the government's strategy to foster entrepreneurship and could shape fiscal policy ahead of the upcoming budget.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTBoth camps report Burnham’s call for a “culture shift,” but left-leaning coverage frames it within fiscal constraints and economic headwinds, while right-leaning coverage highlights the government as a growth partner and the role of devolution.
LEFT
Frames the initiative as a response to economic challenges and fiscal discipline, noting budget pressures and Labour’s pledge not to raise taxes
RIGHT
Frames the initiative as a proactive partnership with business, emphasizing devolution and faster infrastructure to spur investment
The left emphasises
- higher borrowing costs, low growth and the fallout from the Iran war
- economists warn rising energy prices could dampen momentum
- Burnham and Healey will stick to Labour’s fiscal rules and pledge not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT
The right emphasises
- government as a partner for growth with business chiefs
- devolution plans will enable infrastructure to be built faster
- attract greater investment and create more opportunities in communities
How this story developed
- Sep 1 Prime Minister Andy Burnham to Address Commons on First Day Back
- Sep 3 Burnham announced a plan to extend devolution to all parts of England and to increase public control of utilities.
- Sep 4 Bond yields surged to their fastest rise since the 2022 mini‑budget, wiping out £12 billion of fiscal headroom.
- Sep 6 Burnham pledged to transfer failing utilities into public ownership.
- Sep 6 John Healey will launch a £150 million fund aimed at supporting university spin-outs and other high-growth companies across northern England.
- Sep 7 Healey also pledged steps to curb borrowing costs, energy bills, regulation and labour expenses on UK businesses.
- Sep 9 Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he will not trim social security programmes to meet the 3 % of GDP defence spending goal and gave no timetable for reaching it.
- Sep 9 Burnham publicly rejected the welfare‑cut funding plan.
- Sep 13 Burnham faced his first Prime Minister's Questions where opposition members pressed him on funding for his agenda.
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