Andy Burnham to tell world leaders: Forget the past 10 years for Britain, the next decade will be different

Britain "can be hopeful about where we’re going, draw a line under the last decade and say 'this next one’s going to be different'", Andy Burnham will tell world leaders today.

The Prime Minister said he was going to cut a defiant approach when he speaks to the United Nations General Assembly tonight after his first meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Speaking to journalists travelling with him to New York City, Mr Burnham said: "I’m going to give a really upbeat message when I speak tomorrow.

"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, and it is going to be different, that’s my approach, will be my approach as Prime Minister.

"I keep saying this: 'Nobody won’t know what I’m trying to do in this role. Nobody will say: "Oh we weren’t quite sure." People will know.'

"You can make the judgement about whether it’s right or wrong, but people are going to know the direction I want to take this country and I will set it down quite clearly, starting next week."

Mr Burnham said that he is leading a "cost of living Government because that is the biggest issue of our times", a theme he will also expand upon at next week's Labour Party conference.

He said he wanted to look at "what the long term structural changes you can make to make the everyday basics more affordable to people, so those are connected, but they are two different things.

"And the plan for Britain is about what is our direction over the next ten years, and how do we make life more affordable for people, that is my main priority, that’s what people are looking for, but that brings me back to the message of the conference, the hope we bring.

He said: "People are feeling: 'Where is my ability to have a holiday, look forward to a holiday with the kids, go on a night out, have a few beers,' that’s what people are feeling.

"It’s realistic to say they don’t expect everything to be done, they want a Government that is trying, doing what it can, where it can, but it’s then about what the long-term changes we need to make to put the country on a long-term path where things are affordable, but also where the country is more functional, the economy is growing."

He added: "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."

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Mr Burnham also dismissed his past attacks on Mr Trump, saying that "politicians say things throughout their career".

But on the sidelines of the UN, Mr Burnham may have to fend off the President's fury on a whole slate of issues.

The UK has offered up a single refuelling jet to Saudi Arabia for the kingdom's campaign against the Houthis - but Mr Trump is still thought to be bristling at a lack of British backing for the war in Iran.

Mr Burnham is also set to push Mr Trump to further arm Ukraine, renewing his call during a visit to Kyiv last month for more US-made Patriot interceptor missiles.

Industry sources told The Times yesterday the Prime Minister may tell Mr Trump Labour will indeed approve drilling at the Jackdaw gasfield off the Scottish coast.

He may also face a grilling over the Government's assaults on the internet - in particular, the digital services tax, social media ban and plans to promote so-called "trusted" news sources online.

And he will have to contend with the President's interventions on Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands and the Chagos Islands - as well as his potential reaction to Labour's sanctions on Israeli settlements.

However, the Prime Minister will announce a new AI defence partnership between Britain and the US, part of a push for countries to use the technology to better protect critical infrastructure and detect threats.