Former health secretary Wes Streeting has put forward plans to cut national insurance and issue new North Sea oil and gas drilling licences as part of his leadership pitch.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Streeting outlined a series of policies ahead of a potential leadership contest expected within the coming months in Westminster.
Streeting argued that new North Sea drilling would raise tax revenue, framing it alongside a broader push toward renewable energy.
“We do have to take climate change globally much more seriously and go aggressively towards more renewable energy,” he said.
He also backed potential rival Andy Burnham’s support for greater devolution and a more regulated market, describing it as “a good pro-fairness thing to do.”
Streeting left the cabinet just over two weeks ago and has since said he will challenge Keir Starmer in any forthcoming leadership contest.
The former health secretary has already called for the UK to rejoin the European Union “one day” and previously put forward a proposal for what he described as a “wealth tax.”
Streeting is now focused on what he calls “targeted” cuts to employers’ National Insurance contributions, specifically aimed at tackling unemployment among young people.
The move would reverse a National Insurance increase previously introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, with Streeting arguing businesses need greater incentives to take on younger workers.
“We have to make it easier for Business to employ young people and for businesses to take that risk on someone,” Streeting said.
“I think we should be thinking actively about how to incentivise, whether that’s through targeted reduction in employers’ National Insurance or other kinds of recruitment and retention incentives,” he added.
His comments follow former health secretary Alan Milburn publishing a review this week into the rising number of young people not in employment, education, or training, known as NEETs.
Streeting’s proposals echo those of former prime minister Sir Tony Blair, who published an essay last week criticising some of Labour’s policies and accusing the Government of lacking a “coherent plan.”
Blair told the Times that Labour had risen to power “underprepared” and “lacking any sort of intellectual curiosity,” adding further pressure on the current party leadership.