Last updated: 21 July 2026 I Reading time: 5–6 minutes
Summary
Following his appointment as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham has outlined several key priorities for his Government, including housing, economic growth, regional investment, social care and tackling the cost of living.
While many of these commitments will take time to develop into legislation or Government policy, they provide an early indication of the Government’s direction and the issues likely to shape public policy over the coming months and years.
Whether you’re a tenant, homeowner, landowner, business owner, employer or planning for the future, understanding these priorities can help you prepare for potential changes and make informed decisions.
Quick answer
In short: Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to prioritise housing, economic growth, regional investment, adult social care and support for households facing the cost of living. While these announcements do not immediately change the law, they indicate where future legislation and Government policy may be focused.
In this article
- Housing and homelessness
- Economic growth
- Infrastructure and telecommunications
- Adult social care
- Cost of living
- What happens next
- Frequently asked questions
Key takeaways
- Housing and homelessness are expected to be major Government priorities.
- More affordable and social housing has been pledged.
- Greater powers could be given to regional and local authorities.
- Economic growth and regional investment remain central to the Government’s plans.
- Adult social care reform has been identified as a long-term priority.
- Measures to ease the cost of living have also been announced.
- Most proposals are policy commitments and are not yet law.
Housing and Homelessness
One of the Government’s clearest commitments is to improve housing across the UK.
Plans announced so far include increasing the supply of affordable and social housing, tackling homelessness and rough sleeping, and giving local authorities more powers to improve housing in their communities.
Although these proposals are significant, they do not change tenants’ or landlords’ legal rights overnight. Existing housing legislation continues to apply while any future reforms are developed and considered by Parliament.
If you’re experiencing issues such as damp, mould, leaks or other housing disrepair, you should continue to rely on your existing legal rights rather than waiting for future reforms.
Related Service: Housing Disrepair Claims
Supporting Economic Growth
The Government has also committed to supporting economic growth across the UK, particularly by encouraging investment outside London.
Greater regional investment, support for businesses and devolving more decision-making powers to local leaders are expected to form part of this strategy.
For businesses, these plans could create new opportunities over time, while also increasing demand for legal support in areas such as commercial contracts, debt recovery and dispute resolution.
Related Services: Debt Collection | Dispute Resolution
Investment in Infrastructure and Telecommunications
Investment in infrastructure remains another key priority.
The Government has indicated it wants to continue supporting improvements to transport, digital connectivity and regional infrastructure.
For landowners, this could mean continued demand for land suitable for telecommunications equipment. If you’re approached to install or renew a telecommunications mast agreement, it’s important to understand the legal and financial implications before signing.
Related Service: Telecommunications Mast Agreements
Adult Social Care and Planning Ahead
Prime Minister Burnham has also spoken about reforming adult social care, highlighting the importance of improving support for people later in life.
Although detailed proposals have yet to be announced, this serves as a timely reminder of the importance of planning ahead.
Having a Will and a Lasting Power of Attorney in place can help ensure your wishes are respected and that someone you trust can make decisions if you’re unable to do so yourself.
Related Services: Wills, Trusts & Probate | Lasting Powers of Attorney
Cost of Living
Reducing pressure on households has also been identified as a Government priority.
While many of the proposed measures will depend on future legislation, individuals and businesses should continue to monitor developments that could affect household finances, employment and property.
Where legal issues arise, obtaining advice early can often help prevent problems from becoming more complex.
What happens next?
At this stage, many of the Government’s priorities are policy commitments rather than changes to the law.
Before any major reforms take effect, they will generally need to be:
- developed into formal proposals
- consulted upon
- debated in Parliament
- approved through the legislative process
For now, the current legal framework remains in place, and individuals, businesses and property owners should continue to rely on the existing law while keeping informed about future developments.
How GLP Solicitors can help
As Government policy evolves, understanding your legal rights remains as important as ever.
At GLP Solicitors, we regularly advise clients across a wide range of legal matters, including:
- Housing Disrepair
- Telecommunications Mast Agreements
- Settlement Agreements
- Wills, Trusts and Probate
- Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Debt Collection
- Dispute Resolution
- Personal and Criminal Injury Compensation
Our team provides clear, practical legal advice to help individuals, families and businesses make informed decisions based on the law as it stands today.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Government has announced its priorities, but these do not automatically become law. Most significant changes require consultation and approval by Parliament.
Housing is expected to be one of the Government’s priorities, but any reforms are likely to take time. Existing legal rights and responsibilities continue to apply.
The Government has pledged to support economic growth and regional investment, which may create new opportunities for businesses over time. Current legal obligations, however, remain unchanged.
Future reforms may affect how people access support later in life. Regardless of any changes, having a Will and a Lasting Power of Attorney remains an important part of planning for the future.
If you’re facing a legal issue, it’s generally advisable to seek legal advice based on the current law rather than waiting for future reforms, which may take months or years to come into effect.
Explore Related Services
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