Burnham's First Budget Meets the 'Makerfield Test' He Promised

Platt Bridge and neighbouring Spring View have won £20 million over the next 10 years through Pride in Place funding — and residents of Prime Minister Andy Burnham's constituency say that money will judge whether his first Budget keeps its promise to neglected towns.

John Healey's first Budget, due on Wednesday, lands exactly as Burnham marks his first 100 days in office. It also collides with a promise Burnham made when he won the Makerfield by-election. He said the constituency would not be a "stepping stone" to No 10 — though he went on to become prime minister — and instead wanted it to be a "touchstone".

In his victory speech in June, Burnham said: "A Makerfield test at the heart of British politics will make sure that the places Westminster has neglected will now get fairness."

What does the Makerfield test mean in practice?

Platt Bridge, one of the most deprived parts of Wigan, is where the test gets graded. At Platt Bridge Community Centre — run entirely by volunteers, recently forced to raise thousands of pounds for a new roof — about 30 women and one man line dance to Shania Twain's "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" on a wet Tuesday in October. Demand is so high the centre added an extra session.

The centre hosts Wigan table tennis club, a food bank and a warm space. Norman Smith, one of the trustees, says running it brings tremendous financial challenges.

"It's a very old building, and sometimes the trustees feel like they're trying to keep all the plates spinning, it's very hard at times," Smith said. "No one gets paid for working here. We have around 500 people using the centre. Financially it couldn't run without the volunteers."

Will the Budget balance the pressures?

Zoe Billingham, of the think tank IPPR North, calls the Budget a "balancing act" between the rising cost of living and economic headwinds from events such as the war in Iran. She says it will be a "really important budget to show who they [the government] stand for", asking who will shoulder those pressures and who will receive support.

"The Makerfield test is a really valuable way of making sure that the economy works in service of ordinary people," Billingham said.

Burnham's government has already announced measures aimed at the cost of living: a £2 bus fare cap, the removal of VAT on domestic electricity bills, and business rates relief for pubs and live music venues. The prime minister recently admitted that wasn't enough and hinted at further support in the Budget.

Who is still waiting for relief?

Sophie Lowe, 29, from Abram, has a two-year-old daughter and says she has felt no benefit from any of Burnham's policies so far. "I found it hard going back to work, but we needed the two incomes just to cover the bills," she said. She left her job in Merseyside for one closer to home because petrol cost too much.

Joanne Ainscow, a 57-year-old foster carer and line dancer, now spends at least £20 more every time she fills up. She wants the government to exempt foster carers from council tax. Some local authorities offer a 100% discount or full exemption; many others do not. "We are all doing the same job, so it should be the same across the board. It should be equal," Ainscow said.

Karen Jones, 67, from Ashton-in-Makerfield, will watch Wednesday's Budget with interest. "I want to see what they can do for people," she said, calling for the chancellor to let people keep more of their money: "People are struggling to earn a decent living and then they're taxed quite a lot on it, there should be a little bit more relief for them, I think."

Is the community being heard?

Sue Hughes, chair of the centre's trustees, thinks the government already recognises the area's needs, pointing to the £20 million Pride in Place award. "I can't complain about the support this area is being given, but more support is always welcome," she said. "Platt Bridge is a really vibrant community, despite being so deprived. So the community itself deserves that support."

Nicha Rowson, 35, believes Platt Bridge is "being heard" under Burnham, saying MPs and councillors are "taking in our voices". If politicians keep listening, she says, Makerfield could become "this amazing place".

The steps Burnham and the chancellor take on Wednesday could determine how well the next 100 days are received — and whether Ashton shoppers and Abram small businesses feel measurably better off.