Chancellor Healey prepares first Budget as oldest newcomer to role

Summarised from City AM's report · Updated 26 Oct, 12:01 · Archive

Chancellor John Healey, 66, will present his first Budget this week, the oldest Chancellor to do so on debut.

Chancellor John Healey, 66, will deliver his first Budget this week. He is the oldest Chancellor of the Exchequer to present a first Financial Statement and Budget Resolutions to the House of Commons. Since his appointment in July, Healey is described as quietly resolute. The government has had only four weeks of normal operation since taking office, with the House adjourning for summer and party conferences beforehand.

City AM columnist Eliot Wilson writes that despite Prime Minister Burnham's stated commitment to inclusivity and collaboration, signs suggest the government does not listen to alternative voices. Wilson argues that Burnham is not seeking rigorous challenge to policy and points to machinery of government changes, including the dismantling of the department for science, innovation and technology created in 2023, as evidence of a government moving without consultation.

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• Andy Burnham doesn’t losten to anyone but himselfBurnham strives to appear inclusive but he ignores the voice of industry and defence. Signs are emerging that this is a government which doesn’t listen at all, says Eliot Wilson This week will see Chancellor John Healey deliver his Budget. At 66, he will be the oldest Chancellor of the Exchequer to present a first [...]City AM · 26 Oct, 10:52

In this story: John Healey · Andy Burnham · House of Commons · Labour Party

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