| TL;DR: Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election on 18 June 2026, beating Reform UK. He has stated he would reduce the welfare bill through long-term reform rather than short-term cuts, fund higher defence spending from welfare savings, and take a preventative approach to benefits through greater employment support. A Labour leadership contest has not formally been launched, but Burnham is now positioned as the leading contender. |
Last reviewed: 19 June 2026
Burnham wins Makerfield. What his stated welfare, benefits and spending plans would mean for UK households.
The by-election result
Andy Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester, won the Makerfield by-election on 18 June 2026, returning to the House of Commons. The seat had been vacated by Josh Simons, who stood aside specifically to enable Burnham to re-enter Parliament ahead of a potential Labour leadership challenge. Reform UK, which had been forecast as the main opposition, finished second.
Reform leader Nigel Farage described it as a disappointing result for his party, calling Burnham's win emphatic. A Labour leadership contest has not formally been launched, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he intends to remain in office.
Burnham's stated welfare position
Ahead of the by-election, Burnham set out his position on welfare spending in a series of interviews. He said he was not opposed to reducing the welfare bill, framing it as a long-term ambition to move people from dependency into work rather than through immediate cuts. He specifically ruled out what he called crude short-term cuts that create a backlash and more political turbulence.
Burnham has previously criticised the government's approach to disability benefit changes announced in the Spring Statement, describing them as the wrong choice and warning that the package risked causing significant harm to some claimants.
Welfare spending and defence funding
Burnham has proposed funding increased defence spending partly through reductions in the welfare bill over the longer term. He has described a 10-year approach to defence and security, emphasising that the current global environment requires greater investment. The argument that welfare savings can fund defence spending places him at odds with the previous approach of ring-fencing social protection budgets.
What this means for benefits claimants
Burnham is not currently in government and holds no ministerial position. His stated policies are not current UK law or policy. However, if he were to lead a future Labour government, his stated direction points toward welfare reform focused on employment support and prevention rather than headline spending cuts. The triple lock on state pensions has not been mentioned as a target for change in his published statements to date.
Current UK welfare policy, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Universal Credit and the state pension, remains under the existing government's control. The DWP's planned changes to PIP eligibility announced in the Spring Statement are proceeding under the Starmer administration.
Frequently asked questions
Has Andy Burnham said he would cut Universal Credit?
Burnham has not specified Universal Credit as a target. His stated approach is to reduce the welfare bill over time by helping more people into work rather than through direct cuts to individual benefit rates.
Is Andy Burnham now Labour leader?
No. Burnham is an MP following the Makerfield by-election win, but a formal Labour leadership contest has not been launched as of 19 June 2026.
What are the current benefit rates affected by UK welfare policy?
Current benefit rates including Universal Credit, PIP and the state pension are set by the UK government and reviewed annually. The state pension full new rate for 2026/27 is £221.20 per week under the triple lock. Kaeltripton.com publishes standalone guides on each of these benefit types.
