Burnham’s Ten Year Plan: a Poundland in every postcode?

You may barely be over the excitement of the Budget, but brace yourselves: Andy Burnham s Ten Year Plan for Britain is coming into view. Expect a ban on Smoky Bacon flavour crisps and a state-run Poundland in every postcode. The PM s Brexit reset will see the UK sign up to all the latest EU rules on food packaging, meaning (among other things) that flavoured snacks won t be able to refer to meat in their name if they don t actually contain any. We may also have to say goodbye to sachets of ketchup in greasy spoons and pubs, since Brussels has banned them. It s all to play for! Meanwhile, Burnham and his Business Secretary the well-meaning but out of his depth Jonathan Reynolds are determined not to let Poundland collapse without a fight. One minister in the Lords replied no when asked if the government would rule out nationalising the embattled discount retailer, though it s possible he misheard the question. No word yet on whether ministers have drawn a link betwee