Andy Burnham and the Labour government: the record in figures
Since July 2024, under Keir Starmer then Andy Burnham, what has improved, what has worsened, and are the manifesto commitments being kept?
Scope: United Kingdom, from 5 July 2024 to 9 November 2026 (Andy Burnham since 20 July 2026); comparison with the OECD as a whole over the same periods.
Key points
- A Prime Minister too recent for a record in figures. Since 20 July 2026, only three indicators have a published figure: manufacturing output (+2.1% between June and August 2026), prices (+1.2% between June and September, like the OECD) and the renewables share of electricity (+0.5 points). The record is read over the whole Labour government.
- Growth below the OECD’s. Real GDP +2.5% between Q2 2024 and Q2 2026 (OECD +3.9%); real disposable income per capita +1.2% (OECD +2.4%).
- Unemployment rises: 4.2% in June 2024, 4.7% in July 2026, and from 14.5% to 15.6% among 15-24 year-olds, while it is stable in the OECD. The employment rate of 15-64 year-olds still rises (74.5% → 75.1%).
- A smaller deficit, debt above 100% of GDP: government net borrowing from 6.0% of GDP in 2023 to 5.5% in 2025 (OECD estimate), debt from 98.8% to 102.3%.
The record in figures, period by period
Pick a period: each indicator is read between the last figure published before the term began and the last one before it ended (or the latest one for a term still running), and compared with the OECD as a whole over exactly the same window.
9 improved, 3 worsened, 0 stable, 3 without value judgement
Not shown, no figure published for this period yet: Life expectancy at birth.
How to read the charts: United Kingdom (blue) and the OECD (grey) start from the same point at the beginning of the selected period, 0 for a rate (change in points), 100 for a level. Light line: before the period. Bands: the terms of office.
Economy
- Real GDPImproved+2.5%OECD: +3.9%
$3,775bn PPP (Q2 2024) → $3,871bn PPP (Q2 2026)
worse than the OECD · latest published figure
Cumulative growth of inflation-adjusted GDP (chain-linked volumes, seasonally adjusted quarterly data, in purchasing-power-parity dollars to compare with the OECD total).
See the card: GDP growthSource: OECD QNA (B1GQ, USD PPP, chain-linked volumes)
- Real GDP per capitaImproved+1.6%OECD: +2.6%
107.9 (Q2 2024) → 109.7 (Q1 2026)
worse than the OECD · latest published figure
Quarterly index of real GDP per inhabitant (OECD household dashboard).
- Manufacturing outputImproved+1.3%OECD: +1.7%
109.2 (Jun 2024) → 110.7 (Aug 2026)
worse than the OECD · latest published figure
Manufacturing production index, monthly, seasonally adjusted.
See the card: Industrial productionSource: OECD KEI (PRVM, manufacturing)
Jobs
- Unemployment rateWorsened+0.5 ptOECD: −0.1 pt
4.2% (Jun 2024) → 4.7% (Jul 2026)
worse than the OECD · latest published figure
Unemployed as % of the labour force, OECD harmonised (ILO) definition, monthly, seasonally adjusted.
See the card: Unemployment rate (ILO)Source: OECD KEI (UNEMP)
- Unemployment, aged 15-24Worsened+1.1 ptOECD: −0.3 pt
14.5% (Jun 2024) → 15.6% (Jul 2026)
worse than the OECD · latest published figure
See the card: Youth unemployment (15-24)Source: OECD Labour Force Statistics (15-24)
- Employment rate, aged 15-64Improved+0.6 ptOECD: +0.2 pt
74.5% (Q2 2024) → 75.1% (Q2 2026)
better than the OECD · latest published figure
Share of 15-64 year-olds in employment, quarterly, seasonally adjusted.
See the card: Employment rate (15-64)Source: OECD Labour Force Statistics (15-64)
- Employment rate, aged 55-64Improved+1.8 ptOECD: +1.1 pt
65.8% (Q2 2024) → 67.5% (Q2 2026)
better than the OECD · latest published figure
See the card: Senior employment rate (55-64)Source: OECD Labour Force Statistics (55-64)
Prices and purchasing power
- Consumer pricesNo judgement+8.3%OECD: +9.6%
133.0 (Jun 2024) → 144.0 (Sep 2026)
better than the OECD · latest published figure
Cumulative rise of the national consumer price index. A smaller rise than in the OECD reads as an advantage.
See the card: Inflation (CPI)Source: OECD Prices (CPI, 2015 = 100)
- Real disposable income per capitaImproved+1.1%OECD: +2.4%
108.7 (Q2 2024) → 110.0 (Q1 2026)
worse than the OECD · latest published figure
Purchasing power of households’ gross disposable income, per inhabitant (OECD quarterly index).
Public finances
- Budget balance (% of GDP)Improved+0.6 ptOECD: +0.3 pt
−6.0% (2023) → −5.5% (2025)
better than the OECD · latest published figure
General government net lending or borrowing (all levels of government, not only the central government). Negative = deficit. Latest year: OECD estimate.
See the card: Budget balanceSource: OECD Economic Outlook 119 (NLGQ)
- Public debt (% of GDP)Worsened+3.5 ptsOECD: +0.3 pt
98.8% (2023) → 102.3% (2025)
worse than the OECD · latest published figure
General government gross financial liabilities (national accounts). Latest year: OECD estimate.
See the card: Public debtSource: OECD Economic Outlook 119 (GGFLQ)
- Public spending (% of GDP)No judgement−0.2 ptOECD: +0.5 pt
46.3% (2023) → 46.1% (2025)
latest published figure
No value judgement: its level is a collective choice.
See the card: Public spendingSource: OECD Economic Outlook 119 (YPGTQ)
- Public revenue (% of GDP)No judgement+0.4 ptOECD: +0.7 pt
40.2% (2023) → 40.6% (2025)
latest published figure
Taxes, contributions and other general government revenue. No value judgement.
See the card: Government revenueSource: OECD Economic Outlook 119 (YRGTQ)
Climate and energy
- Greenhouse gas emissionsImproved−3.8%OECD: +0.7%
391 Mt (2023) → 376 Mt (2025)
better than the OECD · latest published figure
Excluding land use (LULUCF), million tonnes CO₂ equivalent (EDGAR, European Commission, 2026 edition).
- Renewables share of electricityImproved+5.2 ptsOECD: +2.8 pts
51.2% (Jun 2024) → 56.4% (Sep 2026)
better than the OECD · latest published figure
Share of renewables in electricity generation over the last 12 months (Ember, monthly data).
Reading: “Improved” / “Worsened” gives the direction of the change for a citizen (less unemployment, more jobs…), not a cause. An indicator whose level is a political choice (spending, revenue) is shown without judgement. A change whose window covers less than half of the span between its two figures is not shown (too early to judge). Sources: OECD, World Bank, EDGAR, Ember, data extracted on 9 November 2026.
Show the full table of indicators for the selected period
| Indicator | Start of period | End of period | Change | OECD (same period) | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real GDP | $3,775bn PPP (Q2 2024) | $3,871bn PPP (Q2 2026) | +2.5% | +3.9% | Improved |
| Real GDP per capita | 107.9 (Q2 2024) | 109.7 (Q1 2026) | +1.6% | +2.6% | Improved |
| Manufacturing output | 109.2 (Jun 2024) | 110.7 (Aug 2026) | +1.3% | +1.7% | Improved |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2% (Jun 2024) | 4.7% (Jul 2026) | +0.5 pt | −0.1 pt | Worsened |
| Unemployment, aged 15-24 | 14.5% (Jun 2024) | 15.6% (Jul 2026) | +1.1 pt | −0.3 pt | Worsened |
| Employment rate, aged 15-64 | 74.5% (Q2 2024) | 75.1% (Q2 2026) | +0.6 pt | +0.2 pt | Improved |
| Employment rate, aged 55-64 | 65.8% (Q2 2024) | 67.5% (Q2 2026) | +1.8 pt | +1.1 pt | Improved |
| Consumer prices | 133.0 (Jun 2024) | 144.0 (Sep 2026) | +8.3% | +9.6% | No judgement |
| Real disposable income per capita | 108.7 (Q2 2024) | 110.0 (Q1 2026) | +1.1% | +2.4% | Improved |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | −6.0% (2023) | −5.5% (2025) | +0.6 pt | +0.3 pt | Improved |
| Public debt (% of GDP) | 98.8% (2023) | 102.3% (2025) | +3.5 pts | +0.3 pt | Worsened |
| Public spending (% of GDP) | 46.3% (2023) | 46.1% (2025) | −0.2 pt | +0.5 pt | No judgement |
| Public revenue (% of GDP) | 40.2% (2023) | 40.6% (2025) | +0.4 pt | +0.7 pt | No judgement |
| Greenhouse gas emissions | 391 Mt (2023) | 376 Mt (2025) | −3.8% | +0.7% | Improved |
| Renewables share of electricity | 51.2% (Jun 2024) | 56.4% (Sep 2026) | +5.2 pts | +2.8 pts | Improved |
Strengths and weaknesses
What the data say about the Labour period (July 2024 → latest figure), separating what moves faster or slower than in the OECD. The figures come from the table above.
What improved
- Older workers’ employment. Employment rate of 55-64 year-olds from 65.8% to 67.5% (+1.8 points, OECD +1.1); employment rate of 15-64 year-olds at 75.1% (+0.6 points).
- Slightly lower inflation. Consumer prices +8.3% between June 2024 and September 2026, against +9.6% in the OECD.
- Climate. Greenhouse gas emissions −3.8% between 2023 and 2025 (OECD +0.7%); renewables share of electricity from 51.2% to 56.4% over twelve months (OECD +2.8 points).
- The deficit. It falls from 6.0% to 5.5% of GDP between 2023 and 2025 (OECD estimate), a little faster than in the OECD.
What worsened
- Growth and living standards. GDP +2.5% (OECD +3.9%), GDP per capita +1.7% (OECD +2.6%), real disposable income per capita +1.2% (OECD +2.4%).
- Unemployment, especially among the young. Unemployment from 4.2% to 4.7%, unemployment of 15-24 year-olds from 14.5% to 15.6%, when both rates are stable or falling in the OECD.
- Debt. It goes from 98.8% to 102.3% of GDP between 2023 and 2025, against near-stability in the OECD (+0.3 points).
The promises: kept or not?
The main quantified or verifiable commitments of the 2024 Labour manifesto (carried by the Starmer government) and of Andy Burnham since he took over, and what became of them. The status rests on the laws passed and the official figures cited as sources; “in progress” flags a commitment whose deadline has not passed.
2024 Labour manifesto (Starmer government)
- In progressGrowth
Kickstart economic growth « to secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 » (first of the five missions).
The goal runs over the whole Parliament. At the Budget of 28 October 2026, the OBR forecasts growth of 1.2% in 2026, 1% in 2027, 1.6% in 2028 and 1.8% in 2029. See the table for observed growth and the comparison with the OECD.[2],[7]
- In progressHousing
Reform planning to build 1.5 million new homes over the Parliament.
According to the official statistics (England), the stock grew by 208,600 net additional dwellings in 2024-25, 6% fewer than in 2023-24. The ministry estimates 275,600 net additional homes delivered between the start of the Parliament (9 July 2024) and 9 November 2025, a pace below what the target requires. The 2025-26 figures are due on 26 November 2026.[2],[14]
- In progressHealth
Return to NHS performance standards: patients should wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to consultant-led treatment (standard: 92% of cases).
In England, 65.2% of pathways waiting at the end of August 2026 had waited 18 weeks or less, against 58.9% at the end of June 2024; the waiting list went from 7.6 to 7.4 million pathways (NHS England). The 92% standard remains far off.[2],[15],[16]
- In progressEducation
- KeptEnergy
- Partly keptTaxes
Not increase taxes on working people: no rise in National Insurance, the basic, higher or additional rates of Income Tax, or VAT.
The main rates of income tax, employee National Insurance and VAT are unchanged. But employer National Insurance rose from 13.8% to 15% on 6 April 2025; in November 2025 the freeze on income tax and National Insurance thresholds was extended to 5 April 2031, and the rates on savings, property and dividend income were raised by 2 points (April 2026 and April 2027), then by a further 2 points on savings and property at Budget 2026.[2],[3],[4],[5],[7]
- KeptTaxes
Cap corporation tax at the current level of 25 per cent, the lowest in the G7, for the entire Parliament.
The October 2024 Budget confirms the cap on the headline rate at 25%; the Budget of 28 October 2026 restates the Corporate Tax Roadmap commitments, with « the lowest headline Corporation Tax rate in the G7 ».[2],[3],[6]
- KeptEducation
- In progressImmigration
Set up a Border Security Command to tackle the criminal gangs behind small boat crossings.
The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 2 December 2025. According to the Home Office, 33,374 people arrived by small boat in the year ending June 2026, 23% fewer than the year before (43,309), a level close to the year ending June 2024 (31,493).[2],[22],[23]
- KeptWork
- In progressTransport
Bring the railways into public ownership as contracts with existing operators expire, under Great British Railways.
The largest operator, Govia Thameslink Railway, moved into public ownership on 31 May 2026: according to the Department for Transport, publicly owned operators now run 8 in 10 of the passenger journeys Great British Railways will be responsible for.[2],[21]
- In progressWages
Andy Burnham’s commitments (since 2026)
- In progressHousing
End long-term rough sleeping across the UK « at the earliest opportunity » (his first instruction on taking office).
On 20 July 2026 an extra £340 million is announced to provide 1,200 homes and intensive support for at least 3,000 people; the Budget of 28 October 2026 adds £432 million over two years. No outcome figure has been published yet.[9],[10],[6]
- KeptCost of living
- In progressTransport
Cap single bus fares in England outside London at £2 from 1 January to 31 December 2027 (down from £3).
Announced on 22 July 2026 with £400 million of funding, found notably by switching international climate finance from grants to loans. The measure has not started yet.[12]
- In progressBusiness
Cut business rates bills for pubs, clubs and live music venues in England by 20% from April 2027.
Announced on 23 July 2026 for nearly 32,000 venues (about £1,100 saved for a typical pub) and confirmed at Budget 2026, which also raises the Small Business Rates Relief threshold. It applies from April 2027.[13],[6]
- In progressHousing
Build more council homes, with « the biggest boost to council housebuilding since the post-war period ».
Budget 2026 adds £1.5 billion for social and affordable housing, taking total capital investment over the next 10 years above £40 billion. No construction figure has been published yet for the period.[9],[6]
- In progressPublic finances
Fund his measures while meeting the government’s fiscal rules.
At the Budget of 28 October 2026 the Chancellor states that the rules are met: according to the OBR, headroom against the stability rule is £15 billion in 2029-30 and £22 billion in 2030-31; public debt would be 83.2% of GDP this year and 83.8% next year. Compliance will be judged on outturns.[9],[11],[7]
- In progressGovernance
The context: the events of the period
A record is not read out of context: the milestones of the Labour period, up to the change of Prime Minister.
July 5, 2024
Keir Starmer becomes Prime Minister
The day after the general election of 4 July 2024, Keir Starmer becomes Prime Minister: the Labour Party returns to power on its « Change » manifesto.[1],[2]
October 30, 2024
The first Labour Budget
The Autumn Budget 2024 leaves the main rates of income tax, employee National Insurance and VAT unchanged, but raises employer National Insurance from 13.8% to 15% from 6 April 2025 and introduces VAT on private school fees from 1 January 2025.[3]
June 18, 2026
Andy Burnham wins Makerfield
After heavy Labour losses in the May 2026 local elections, the MP Josh Simons resigns so that the Mayor of Greater Manchester can return to the House of Commons. Andy Burnham wins the by-election with 24,927 votes (54.8%), ahead of Reform UK (34.5%).[26],[27]
June 22, 2026
Keir Starmer announces his resignation
Keir Starmer announces that he is stepping down as Labour leader, staying on as Prime Minister until his successor is chosen. Andy Burnham is sworn in as an MP the same day and declares his candidacy.[25],[26]
July 17, 2026
Sole candidate for the leadership
When nominations close on 15 July 2026, Andy Burnham has 379 nominations from Labour MPs, against 1 for Catherine West: as the only eligible candidate, he is declared party leader on 17 July.[24],[27]
July 20, 2026
Andy Burnham becomes Prime Minister
The King invites Andy Burnham to form a government. In his first speech he calls himself « the seventh Prime Minister since 2016 » and announces a 10-year plan, cost-of-living measures and an end to rough sleeping. John Healey becomes Chancellor of the Exchequer.[9],[11],[1]
October 28, 2026
Budget 2026
The Burnham government’s first Budget, delivered by John Healey as energy prices rise with the conflict in the Middle East. According to the OBR forecasts quoted by the Chancellor, borrowing would fall from 4.4% of GDP last year to 4.2% this year and 1.8% in 2030-31, and growth would be 1.2% in 2026.[7],[8]
The reforms Citoyen follows
The major reforms of the period that have their own detailed factsheet (timeline, measures, debate, indicators to follow).
Method
Which value at the start and end of a term? The last figure whose period had ended on that date. For the Labour government that took office on 5 July 2024: June 2024 for a monthly series, Q2 2024 for a quarterly one, 2023 for an annual one; for Andy Burnham (20 July 2026): June 2026, Q2 2026, 2025. A term still running ends on the latest published figure. A change is shown only if the selected period covers at least half of the span between its two figures.
Why compare with the OECD as a whole? Part of the changes comes from common shocks (Covid, energy prices, interest rates). The change of the aggregate (OECD) over the same window is a benchmark: “better” means the country did better than that reference over the period, whatever the cause.
What this record does not say. It measures changes, not causes: an indicator that improves during a term is not necessarily due to the policies pursued, and vice versa. Less than four months after Andy Burnham took office, only three indicators have a figure published over his period: the record is therefore read mostly over the whole Labour government since July 2024. The UK unemployment rate is a three-month moving average (Labour Force Survey). The 2025 public-finance figure is an OECD estimate (June 2026).
Sources
- Indicators. OECD (quarterly national accounts, key economic indicators, labour force statistics, prices, household dashboard, Economic Outlook No. 119), World Bank, EDGAR (emissions) and Ember (renewable electricity, monthly), United Kingdom and OECD total, extracted on 9 November 2026 by scripts/analyses/build-mandate-data.py.OECD Data ExplorerWorld Bank
- Term dates. GOV.UK, Prime Minister page (Citoyen’s terms-of-office dataset).gov.uk
- [1] Prime Minister · GOV.UK
- [2] Change: Labour Party Manifesto 2024 · Labour Party
- [3] Chancellor chooses a Budget to rebuild Britain · HM Treasury
- [4] Maintaining Income Tax and equivalent National Insurance contributions thresholds until 5 April 2031 · HM Revenue & Customs
- [5] Changes to tax rates for property, savings and dividend income · HM Revenue & Customs
- [6] Budget 2026: Breathing space for today, hope for the future · HM Treasury
- [7] Budget 2026 speech · HM Treasury
- [8] What the Autumn Budget 2026 means for your energy bills · GOV.UK
- [9] Andy Burnham’s first speech as Prime Minister: 20 July 2026 · Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
- [10] New PM says government can bring back hope to Britain, and launches drive to end rough sleeping at the earliest opportunity · Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
- [11] New PM cuts tax on household electricity bills to give breathing space on cost of living · Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
- [12] £2 bus fares from January 2027 · Department for Transport
- [13] Burnham means business: PM slashes business rates bills for pubs, clubs and live music venues · Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
- [14] Housing supply: net additional dwellings, England: 2024 to 2025 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- [15] Statistical Press Notice: NHS referral to treatment (RTT) waiting times data, June 2024 · NHS England
- [16] Statistical Press Notice: NHS referral to treatment (RTT) waiting times data, August 2026 · NHS England
- [17] Government hits 70% of pledge, two years into this parliament · Department for Education
- [18] Great British Energy Act 2025 · legislation.gov.uk
- [19] Designation of Great British Energy Group Ltd as Great British Energy · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- [20] Businesses, unions and civil society leaders welcome Royal Assent of Employment Rights Act · Department for Business and Trade
- [21] Britain’s biggest train operator’s services enter public ownership this weekend · Department for Transport
- [22] Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act receives Royal Assent · Immigration Advice Authority
- [23] Immigration system statistics, year ending June 2026: How many people come to the UK via illegal entry routes? · Home Office
- [24] Labour Leadership 2026 PLP Nominations · Labour Party
- [25] Why did Keir Starmer resign and what could happen next? · BBC News · secondary source
- [26] 2026 Makerfield by-election · Wikipedia · secondary source
- [27] Why Britain is getting a new prime minister without a general election · PBS News (Associated Press) · secondary source