New Prime Minister Faces Old Problems: How to Make Britain’s Economy Grow

One after the other, Britain’s recent prime ministers have pledged to revive the nation’s economy. One after the other, the promised growth eluded them.

Andy Burnham, set to formally become the newest prime minister on Monday, has arrived with his own version of this pledge: “Good growth in every British postcode.”

His plan? Give away power to local officials so they can make their own economic choices. Mr. Burnham has promised to bring about “the biggest change in our lifetimes to the way the country is run.”

Mr. Burnham has not revealed the details of his economic agenda. But his priorities are emerging in his speeches and recommendations from advisers. The New York Times spoke with five economists and policy strategists who are playing a role in formulating Mr. Burnham’s economic vision, several of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to talk openly about policies that were still not final.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/business/britain-andy-burnham-prime-minister.html