Former UK Business Secretary Attacks Andy Burnham as Starmer 'Rehash' With 'Dud Ideas'

Former business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has accused Prime Minister Andy Burnham of recycling policies developed under Sir Keir Starmer, describing the new government's approach as a 'rehash' of ideas he called 'dud'.

His criticism follows a Sky News investigation into a leaked 50-page bundle of policy presentations and submissions prepared in April, when Starmer was prime minister. The investigation found that several measures in the documents have since been announced by Burnham or are expected to form part of his government's programme.

Rees-Mogg highlighted fiscal devolution and a proposed overnight visitor levy as examples, arguing that a charge on accommodation could put businesses inside areas covered by the levy at a disadvantage compared with those outside the boundary.

Leaked Papers Show Policy Overlap

The leaked material was prepared as part of an attempt to keep Starmer in office and was circulated around Downing Street and parts of the civil service.

An analysis of around 50 ideas found that 20 had been announced by Starmer before he left office in July. Six had already been announced by Burnham, while another eight were expected to be announced in the following weeks. A further 16 ideas had been developed by Whitehall but had not been announced by either administration.

Burnham became prime minister in July after winning the Labour leadership contest. His government has presented itself as a new administration focused on making government work more effectively and transferring decision-making power away from Westminster.

Rees-Mogg argued that the overlap contradicted Burnham's promise of a new approach. In a video posted on social media, he described Burnham as a 'rehash of Sir Keir Starmer' and said the policies carried over from the previous administration were 'dud ideas'.

Visitor Levy Becomes Key Target

Rees-Mogg singled out the proposed overnight visitor levy as a policy he opposed.

The government has been developing plans to give English mayors powers to introduce a levy on overnight stays, with the revenue intended to support local priorities including high streets, public transport and tourism.

Rees-Mogg argued that the levy could create differences between businesses on opposite sides of a mayoral or council boundary. A hotel subject to the charge, he said, could become less attractive to customers than a similar business outside the area where the levy did not apply.

He also criticised Labour's high street policies, arguing that measures affecting small businesses should focus on reducing regulation and employment costs. His wider criticism included calls for changes to employment rights and National Insurance.

Government Rejects Lack of New Ideas

The government has defended Burnham's approach, saying some policy overlap with Starmer was inevitable because both administrations faced many of the same challenges.

Home Office minister Sarah Jones said it was 'not surprising' there would be some crossover, citing global instability, the war in Ukraine, Iran and the cost of living crisis. She said Burnham had a 'very different agenda', including devolution, social care reform, technical education and tackling rough sleeping.

The government has also highlighted measures including a 20% reduction in business rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues as part of its support for local economies.

Some people involved in preparing the leaked proposals now work in Downing Street under Burnham. The overlap has raised questions about how much of the new government's programme represents continuity with Starmer's administration, while ministers maintain that Burnham's agenda is distinct.