Key facts
- UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged government support for businesses to lower costs.
- Burnham cited a "difficult financial outlook" and limited room for maneuver.
- The government will review business rates in the budget on October 28.
- Plans include remodeling the rail fares system and increasing state control over utilities and housing.
- Burnham has ruled out tax increases on working people but not other tax hikes.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has indicated that the UK government will provide assistance to businesses to help lower costs, while acknowledging the challenging financial environment. Speaking on BBC Radio, Burnham stated that the budget, scheduled for October 28, will include a broader review of business rates, a tax on commercial properties.
Burnham also expressed his intention to remodel the UK's rail fares system to benefit the public and reiterated his long-term objective of increasing state control over water, energy, and housing services as a means to reduce costs for households. He acknowledged that while he wants to help businesses, particularly smaller ones, he cannot "promise the earth" due to the "difficult financial outlook" and his limited capacity for maneuver.