Andy Burnham Criticises Jim Ratcliffes Britain On The Slide Claim

Andy Burnham has hit back at the billionaire owner of Manchester United after he claimed Britain is “on the slide”.

Tax exile Jim Ratcliffe accused the government of trying to “tax everyone to death”, spending too much on benefits and failing to cut immigration.

But speaking to reporters on his way to deliver a speech at the UN General Assembly in New York, Burnham rejected Ratcliffe’s claims, without mentioning him by name.

He said: “I hear people saying the country is on the slide – we’re the fastest growing in the G7, there’s lots to be proud of, there’s a lot right with the country and I’m going to give a really upbeat message when I speak.”

The prime minister, who will shortly set out his 10-year plan for the UK, said “we can be hopeful about where we’re going, we can draw a line under the last decade and say this next one’s going to be different”.

Burnham’s comments came after Labour chair Bridget Phillipson tore into Brexit-backer Ratcliffe over his comments.

She told the BBC: “You’ll forgive if I do take with a pinch of salt what someone who is a tax exile has to say about our country.”

Phillipson, who is also minister for women and equalities, added: “He was also someone, as I understand it, who was a big supporter of Brexit,” she said.

“That was over a decade ago now, but we’ve seen the impact of Brexit on our economy, and that’s why this government is committed to making sure we do have a better trading relationship with the European Union, which will be a central part of how we make sure we do see stronger growth.”

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