Andy Burnham has suggested a future Labour government could raise taxes beyond those ruled out in the party's manifesto as it seeks to fund higher spending on housing, infrastructure and defence.
The incoming Prime Minister said he remained committed to Labour's pledge not to increase the main rates of income tax, VAT or national insurance, but indicated there was flexibility elsewhere.
Speaking to LBC, Burnham said: "I stick by the manifesto and the promises that it made. So, let me be absolutely clear about that, but there is some room within that manifesto for movement on tax."
He has previously proposed increasing business rates on warehouses to fund cuts for pubs, while allies have advocated changes to capital gains tax and wider wealth taxation.
Burnham also pledged to fully fund planned increases in defence spending, saying: "What I can say to you tonight is I will take my responsibilities fully to fund the defence investment plan. If I'm in the position to do so, I will take those responsibilities extremely seriously, no compromise on the security of the nation."
He confirmed he has yet to appoint a chancellor, adding: "No, I haven't made those decisions [on his cabinet picks] and deliberately not."
Burnham said his priority was setting out a programme for government rather than discussing personalities, telling LBC: "I very deliberately have said, 'No, I'm going to set out a new direction for the country', and I did that on Monday."