A new report reveals Manchester’s real disposable income has dropped sharply, raising questions about Andy Burnham’s leadership of the city and his capability as the likely next British Prime Minister.
| PULSE POINTS |
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Manchester, under former mayor and likely next British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, experienced the steepest decline in living standards of any major English city between 2021 and 2023, with residents’ purchasing power falling by seven percent, according to a Resolution Foundation report. This decline was significantly higher than the national average of 4.7 percent across England. 📺 DETAIL: The report found that real disposable income per person in Manchester was lower in 2023 than when Andy Burnham became Mayor of Greater Manchester in 2017, despite his focus on the region’s economic record. Researchers said the decline was driven by inflation outpacing income growth, weaker productivity, and the unwinding of post-pandemic government support such as the furlough scheme. The Resolution Foundation also concluded that former Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson‘s so-called “leveling-up” agenda failed to significantly narrow regional income gaps. 💬 KEY QUOTE: “This big thing that was going on here was price inflation exceeding income growth… it wiped out a few years of income growth.” – Sophie Hale, research director at the Resolution Foundation. 🎯 IMPACT: The findings raise concerns about Burnham’s ability to lead Britain out of its dire economic circumstances following years of mismanagement by both the formerly governing Conservative (Tory) Party and the incumbent Labor government. Notably, Burnham was a Cabinet secretary under the failed Labour government that preceded the Tories’ 14 years in office from 2010 to 2024. |
Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
