Andy Burnham refuses to rule out wealth tax as speculation grows over Chancellor appointment

Andy Burnham refuses to rule out wealth tax as speculation grows over Chancellor appointment Andy Burnham has previously expressed interest in raising taxes on speculative landlords who leave high street properties continually empty, and taxing the warehouses of firms like Amazon Andy Burnham has refused to rule out a wealth tax ahead of becoming Prime Minister next week. The Makerfield MP called for a “greater sense of fairness” and admitted people might be asked for a “little more” in tax. The former Greater Manchester Mayor has previously expressed interest in raising taxes on speculative landlords who leave high street properties continually empty, and taxing the warehouses of firms like Amazon. Asked about a wealth tax in an interview with Gary Lineker for Goalhanger, he said: “I’m going to obviously take my time to properly look at the state of things, particularly the state of finances. And I just said a moment ago, Gary, about bringing people together. You know, I don’t want to come in and sort of, if you like, create new divisions and pitch people one against another. “I’m not going rule things out right now. I do believe we need a greater sense of fairness and people feeling that things are being done in the right way and a fair way. But at the same time, you know, I don’t want to sort of be perceived as somebody who’s coming in with grudges and agendas and, you know, going to just immediately find or demonise one group or create a new way of dividing people. “So, you know, decisions to be taken in time, they’re going to be difficult. I’m not going to shy away from that. You know, we are going to have to work quite hard to make sure, you know, we can pay our way. “And at some point that might be having to ask for a little more. But, you know, those decisions are not for now. They’re for another day.” It comes as the PM-in-waiting continues to face questions as to who his Chancellor will be, with Ed Miliband, Shabana Mahmood and John Healey all linked to the role. Ms Mahmood is reportedly now the favourite after opponents of Mr Miliband campaigned to stop his appointment, citing Labour's 2015 general election defeat. Mr Burnham has previously committed to Labour's manifesto pledges not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT will still stand if he becomes PM. However, in October last year he urged the Chancellor to consider a wealth tax. He said: “How can it be justified that council tax has not been revalued since 1991? "I think it does need to be re-evaluated, and if that is perceived as a wealth tax by some people with very big, very expensive properties, who will have to pay more, I’m not going to shy away from saying that’s exactly what they should be doing. Council tax should be being constantly revalued.” Mr Burnham also claimed he would be willing to disagree with Donald Trump on key issues while “respecting the office”. He said: “I’ll deal with him very upfront in the same way. I think he likes people to deal with him. He described Manchester as some town when he was referring to my position. And I might have to, you know what Mancs are like, Gary, that won’t have gone down fantastically well in the city I used to represent. “But yeah, you know, it’s about being yourself, isn’t it? It’s about respecting the office, the relationship, the UK-US relationship. But, you know, where you disagree, do it, but do it in a way that is kind of meeting him where he’s at.”