What Andy Burnham as Prime Minister Could Mean for UK Businesses

From potential council tax reform and regional investment to manufacturing, technology and AI, political change often creates both challenges and opportunities for businesses.

When politics changes, business owners feel it first.

Not always immediately. Sometimes it starts quietly. A change in tax policy. A shift in regional funding. A new incentive for manufacturing. A reform to business rates. A fresh focus on high streets, infrastructure, skills or technology.

Then, before long, the businesses paying attention begin to move faster than the ones waiting for certainty.

Andy Burnham has positioned his economic vision around devolution, regional growth, reindustrialisation, public service reform and a more localised approach to economic decision-making. Recent reporting has also highlighted his interest in business rates reform, potential changes to council tax, and a stronger focus on regional economies outside Westminster.

For business owners, managing directors and general managers, the question is not simply political.

The real question is this:

What could this mean for how we grow?

At Solmaz Marketing, we believe moments like this matter because they change the environment businesses operate in. They also reveal something important: companies that adapt early usually create more opportunity than companies that wait.

Business rates, council tax and the cost of operating

One of the most talked-about areas around Burnham’s economic thinking is property and local taxation.

He has previously supported reforming council tax, which he has described as outdated and unfair due to its reliance on 1991 property values. Possible reforms could include revaluation, new council tax bands or some form of land value or property-based tax.

He has also signalled interest in changing business rates, including reducing pressure on high street businesses and increasing rates on large warehouses.

For businesses, this matters because fixed operating costs already shape growth decisions.

A high street retailer, manufacturer, hospitality venue or local service business may ask:

• Can we afford to hire?

• Can we afford to expand?

• Can we commit to a new employee?

• Can we increase marketing spend?

• Can we take on more risk?

This is where the old way of thinking starts to break down.

For many businesses, growth no longer means immediately hiring a full in-house team. A permanent hire comes with salary, pension, National Insurance, recruitment time, onboarding, training, management and risk.

That does not mean businesses should stop investing. It means they need smarter models.

Outsourced marketing support gives businesses access to expertise without taking on the full cost and commitment of building an internal department.

A stronger regional economy could create more competition

Burnham’s wider economic vision has focused heavily on devolution and regional growth.

His argument is that growth cannot be fully controlled from Westminster and should be built through stronger local economies, technical skills, industrial policy and regional decision-making.

For businesses, this could be positive.

More regional investment can mean:

• Greater local opportunity

• More support for entrepreneurs

• More focus on infrastructure

• Stronger regional supply chains

• Better skills development

• More confidence outside London

But there is another side to this.

A stronger regional economy also means more competition.

If funding, incentives and regional growth programmes help more businesses expand, visibility becomes more important. The companies that communicate clearly, build trust, generate leads and show up consistently will be better placed to win.

That is where marketing moves from being “nice to have” to commercially necessary.

Manufacturing, tech and AI: opportunity will favour the visible

Burnham has spoken about reindustrialisation and the importance of building regional economic strength. Greater Manchester has also promoted industrial clusters in areas such as advanced manufacturing, clean tech, digital, health innovation and creative industries.

This matters because the next phase of UK growth is unlikely to come from one sector alone.

• Manufacturing businesses will need stronger digital visibility.

• Tech firms will need sharper positioning.

• AI companies will need trust-led communication.

• Professional services firms will need better lead generation.

• Local businesses will need stronger search presence.

• B2B companies will need consistent outreach and nurturing.

The businesses that win will not necessarily be the ones with the biggest marketing budgets.

They will be the ones with the clearest message, strongest follow-up systems and most consistent route to market.

Why outsourcing could become the smarter growth decision

In periods of change, business owners often become cautious.

That is understandable.

Tax may change. Costs may rise. Funding may shift. Hiring decisions may feel heavier.

Market confidence may move up and down.

But standing still is rarely neutral. It usually means losing ground quietly.

This is why outsourced, done-for-you marketing can make commercial sense.

Instead of hiring one person and hoping they can do everything, businesses can access a wider range of skills through one flexible monthly partnership.

At Solmaz Marketing, our outsourced marketing support can include:

• Lead generation

• SEO/AEO

• PPC

• Website design

• Email marketing

• CRM support

• Marketing automation

• Content strategy

• Social media

• Campaign planning

• Fractional marketing leadership

The value is not simply that it is cheaper than hiring.

The value is flexibility, expertise and speed.

A business can gain senior marketing direction, strategic thinking and hands-on delivery without committing to a permanent hire before the timing is right.

What business leaders should do now

We would not advise any business to make decisions based on headlines alone.

But we would advise leaders to prepare.

The businesses most likely to benefit from economic change are usually the ones that already have their foundations in place.

That means:

A website that clearly explains what they doA lead generation system that creates consistent opportunitiesSEO that helps prospects find themEmail marketing that nurtures interestContent that builds trustA CRM that tracks enquiries properlyMarketing activity connected to commercial outcomes

This is not about doing more for the sake of it.

It is about building a system that helps the business respond to opportunity.

Will Andy Burnham Become Prime Minister?

If Andy Burnham becomes Prime Minister, UK businesses may see a stronger focus on regional growth, business rates reform, local economies, manufacturing, skills and public-private investment.

Some businesses will wait to see what happens.

Others will prepare now.

We believe the second group will be better placed to grow.

At Solmaz Marketing, we help businesses turn marketing into measurable growth through ROI-driven, done-for-you support. For companies that need marketing leadership but are not ready for the cost and commitment of hiring in-house, outsourcing can provide the confidence, capability and flexibility to move forward.

Because in a changing economy, growth does not belong to the businesses that wait.

It belongs to the businesses that prepare.