https://birminghamdaily.co.uk/tags/means-testing/Recent content in means-testing on Birmingham DailyHugo -- gohugo.ioen-usMon, 06 Jul 2026 04:51:32 +0000https://birminghamdaily.co.uk/andy-burnham-advised-against-means-testing-state-pensions-despite-budget-shortfall/Mon, 06 Jul 2026 04:51:32 +0000https://birminghamdaily.co.uk/andy-burnham-advised-against-means-testing-state-pensions-despite-budget-shortfall/Andy Burnham, the newly elected Labour MP for Makerfield and a frontrunner to succeed Sir Keir Starmer, faces a significant financial challenge. The recent defence investment plan announced by Starmer includes an additional £15 billion in spending, of which £4.7 billion remains unfunded. This gap places Burnham under pressure to identify new revenue sources or cuts. Tax Policy Associates’ analyst Dan Neidle highlights the dilemma: Burnham is unlikely to reduce spending drastically or boost borrowing given current economic conditions and costly gilt rates.