How new PM Andy Burnham can inspire the ‘Kirkcaldy test’ for key decisions
Andy Burnham’s first week as Prime Minister has started to show how our new government will do things differently.
On the steps of 10 Downing Street, Andy said that care for people will be at the heart of everything we do.
I know this will speak to many people in our community. Immediately axing VAT from electricity bills is a small step in tackling the cost of living, and giving people breathing room. There is more to come.
Andy understands places like ours. He wants to push power out from Westminster and Holyrood, and closer to people. That’s so that better decisions are made in the interests of towns like Kirkcaldy. He has referred to ‘the Makerfield test’.
This means ensuring that government decisions have to work for areas like Makerfield, which is Andy’s constituency. As I have said in the national media, this could easily be called ‘the Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy test’.
Our two places are similar; our constituencies are both former coalfields with enormous pride in the past but in need of more jobs, opportunities and hope for the future.
Establishing Number 10 North is a way of starting to make that happen and forcing government officials to – quite literally – get out of London. We know the idea that wealth will simply trickle down from cities like Edinburgh into Fife is wrong
headed and outdated. That’s why Andy’s new approach is needed.
Andy announced that over 30,000 pubs, clubs and live music venues will have their business rates cut by 20%, giving them some breathing room on the bottom line. But business rates are devolved to the Scottish Government and so this cut will not apply in Scotland - unless the government in Holyrood has a change of heart. That's why I have written to Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth asking for the same rates cuts to benefit Fife and all of Scotland.
I’m proud that our new Prime Minister asked me to become the UK Government’s new Minister for Scotland.
In my first few days in the job, I already find myself drawing on everything I have learned in my time so far as our local MP. I’m glad that Fife has a voice in the UK Government.
And whilst I also now have a role that is focused on delivering positive change for the whole of Scotland, my first, proudest and most important job will always be MP for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy constituency.