Key facts
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham is launching a national tour to address cost of living concerns.
- The tour aims to gather public input for a 10-year plan and improve government connection with the public.
- Burnham intends to introduce pro-consumer measures and focus on improving high streets.
- Previous policy announcements include a £2 cap on bus fares and removal of VAT from electricity bills.
- Opposition parties have criticized the initiative, calling it a 'vanity tour' and suggesting alternative policies.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is commencing a national tour across the UK to gather public input on cost of living concerns. Downing Street stated the initiative aims to make life easier for those struggling with expenses and to improve the state of high streets. The Prime Minister believes that everyday consumer issues like misleading pricing should not be accepted as normal and plans to introduce a series of pro-consumer measures to provide financial relief. The tour is described as being in 'listening mode' to inform a 10-year plan to 'bring back hope'.
Previous policy announcements include a £2 cap on bus fares, set to be reintroduced from January, and the removal of VAT from electricity bills from October 1, estimated to cost £850 million and save households approximately £45 on average. Opposition parties have criticized Burnham's approach, with Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride calling it "breathtaking hypocrisy" and arguing that government tax hikes and red tape are harming high streets. Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper described the tour as a "vanity tour," while Reform UK's economic spokesperson Robert Jenrick suggested scrapping green levies and energy taxes instead.