Burnham not doing enough on growth, says Peter Kyle

As the Labour Party prepares to gather in Liverpool for its annual conference, former business secretary Peter Kyle has spoken out to criticize the current leadership, arguing that not enough is being done to boost economic growth with sufficient urgency.

Kyle, who served as science secretary and business secretary during Sir Keir Starmer's administration before returning to the backbenches as the MP for Hove and Portslade, previously emphasized that his time as Greater Manchester mayor gave him a clear theory of growth centered on devolving powers to local regions.

Addressing economic pressures, Kyle noted that the government might need to hold honest conversations with trade unions about sequencing employment rights to secure short-term economic gains. The Employment Rights Act was passed in December 2025, though several changes are not scheduled to take effect until next year.

Chancellor John Healey is preparing to deliver his first Budget on October 28, facing mounting debt costs and warnings of a slowing economy. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the UK economy is now expected to grow by 1%, a slight downward revision from the previous 1.1% forecast.

"I think we need to up our ambition, I think that we need to act with more urgency when it comes to economic growth."

Peter Kyle

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

Responding to the criticism, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy suggested that the prime minister was operating with greater speed than his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, adding that she believes Burnham possesses the ambition and impatience for major structural change that the nation requires.