Centre for Local Economies reacts to Andy Burnham’s election as Labour leader

Dr Sarah Longlands, chief executive of CLES commented:

“Andy Burnham’s election as Labour leader opens up a significant opportunity to change the direction of Britain’s economy. His repeated call to end trickle-down economics and underline the limitations of our current economic growth model is ambitious and necessary. But it will only mean something if it is translated into an ambitious programme for delivery.

“That programme must devolve real power, fiscal freedom and long-term funding away from Whitehall; confront the deep inequalities between and within regions; and use public spending, land and investment to rebuild local economies. The success of our economy must be judged by the extent to which is grows more secure incomes, affordable homes and transport, decent work, healthier lives and environmental resilience.

“As a Manchester based organisation, CLES has spent 40 years arguing that wealth needs to work for the places and communities that create it. Community wealth building is about stronger local supply chains, fairer employment, public and community ownership, and public institutions using their spending, jobs and assets for local benefit.  It is also about limiting the damage of extractive private providers who profiteer on the back of our most vulnerable.

“Burnham now has the opportunity to take that agenda into government. His first 100 days must demonstrate that his ambitions are not just political rhetoric  but a radical and practical programme to make the economy work for people, place and planet everywhere.”