Burnham pushes for nationwide devolution and public control of essential services

Andy Burnham used his Commons address to pledge stronger public control of essential services and a broader push for devolution across England, saying a devolution framework will be published later this year and that the plan could extend to areas like Cornwall with or without an elected mayor. He argued decentralising power would boost growth after privatisation and centralisation since the 1980s, touching on water/energy reform and housing measures, while facing Tory criticism that the approach means more government control and taxation. The speech also signalled openness to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland models, and noted a wider Labour strategy on public ownership and local empowerment.