Key facts
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham is commencing a national tour to gather public input on cost of living concerns.
- The tour aims to inform Burnham's 10-year plan for the country.
- He intends to address issues such as misleading pricing and the state of high streets.
- Previous policy announcements include a £2 bus fare cap and VAT removal on electricity bills.
- Opposition parties have criticized Burnham's initiatives, advocating for different economic policies.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is launching a national tour to engage directly with the public on their cost of living concerns. He plans to spend a significant portion of August traveling across Britain, aiming to understand what measures would genuinely improve people's lives and inform his forthcoming 10-year plan for the country.
Burnham's initiative, described as being in 'listening mode,' intends to move beyond the confines of Westminster to meet people in their communities. Officials stated that the Prime Minister believes everyday hassles, such as hidden pricing and consumers being overcharged, should not be accepted as normal. Consequently, he is set to introduce a series of pro-consumer measures designed to provide financial relief.
Among the proposed actions are plans to tackle misleading discounts and pricing tactics, alongside efforts to revitalize high streets. This tour follows initial policy announcements made in his first week as Prime Minister, including a commitment to remove VAT from electricity bills starting October 1, estimated to cost £850 million and save households approximately £45 on average. Additionally, a £2 cap on bus fares is set to be reintroduced from January.
The cost of living remains a significant public concern, with a recent Ipsos poll indicating that 30% of people consider the economy a major worry, and 22% specifically cite inflation or prices. The fallout from the Iran war has contributed to inflation remaining higher than anticipated.
However, opposition figures have criticized Burnham's approach. Reform UK's Robert Jenrick suggested scrapping green levies and energy bill taxes, and called for a reduction in the benefits bill. Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride accused Burnham of hypocrisy, arguing that tax hikes and 'red tape' are harming high streets and driving up prices. Liberal Democrat Treasury spokeswoman Daisy Cooper also criticized the tour as a 'vanity tour' and urged the adoption of the Liberal Democrats' plan for high streets, including reversing a jobs tax and delivering an emergency VAT cut for hospitality.
Burnham's tour comes as polls suggest a potential 'Burnham bounce' in national support for his party, potentially closing the gap with Reform UK.