The real scrutiny of Burnham begins now

The scrutiny of Andy Burnham's premiership is set to intensify as he takes the helm in the autumn. During his honeymoon period, a series of positive economic developments have given Britain's economy a boost. Over the past six months, the UK economy has grown faster than any of its G7 peers, and consumer confidence has reached a two-year high. Manufacturing orders have hit their highest level since November 2024, and a new report suggests that productivity may be higher than official data indicates.

However, challenges persist, particularly in the form of cost-of-living pressures. Burnham has acknowledged these issues and made reducing prices a priority during his first month in office. Yet, to truly improve livelihoods, he must focus on creating well-paid, resilient jobs across the country. This is where scale-ups, companies that have experienced rapid growth over the past three years, come into play.

Scale-ups are defined by the OECD as businesses that grow by more than 20% in either headcount or revenue annually, with a minimum of 10 employees at the start of the growth period. These companies have proven their ability to deliver growth despite economic headwinds. As the economy shifts, supporting scale-ups by accelerating their hiring and providing access to capital is crucial. Despite being overshadowed by start-ups and large corporations, scale-ups are the true drivers of job creation.

Scale-ups have expressed their desire for strong signals that Burnham's economic vision includes a focus on their growth. They need policies that facilitate hiring skilled talent quickly and access to capital that matches their ambitious goals. They also require stability and certainty in economic policy, as last year's budget introduced uncertainty that stalled economic activity. Burnham's government has recognized this need for stability, and now must demonstrate a commitment to differentiating approaches.

Additionally, scale-ups seek a vocal ally in Burnham to communicate and promote policies that will help their businesses thrive. Burnham's strong communication skills make him a prime candidate to sell these policies to the public, breaking the narrative that economic policies pit workers' interests against those of businesses. Sustainable economic growth can only be achieved through policies that benefit both businesses and workers.

With a favourable net rating higher than any British Prime Minister in over six years, Burnham has an opportunity to deliver policies that foster shared prosperity throughout the nation. As Parliament reconvenes, the real scrutiny of Burnham's leadership will commence, and he must seize this moment to make a lasting impact on Britain's economy.