Burnham To Prioritise Economic Growth, Devolution, And Cost Of Living Relief

Andy Burnham has pledged to put the cost of living “front and centre” of his government, with a package of measures expected within days of him becoming Prime Minister.

The former Greater Manchester mayor, who is due to take office on Monday (20 July), has promised to provide households and businesses with greater “breathing space” as they continue to face pressure from energy, water, transport and other essential costs.

According to The Telegraph, the planned package is expected to include support addressing transport and energy bills, forming part of an immediate effort to demonstrate that lowering everyday costs will be a defining priority of the new administration.

Burnham has previously said that Britain is paying too much for basic services, arguing that both consumers and businesses are being squeezed by unnecessarily high costs.

He has proposed increasing public control over water, energy and transport over time, with the stated aim of reducing household bills and fares. He has also indicated that his government could examine changes to business rates, including higher charges for warehouses and major out-of-town developments to fund reductions for pubs and some high-street businesses.

Other proposals previously associated with Burnham and his allies include free bus travel for 16 to 18-year-olds, changes to the cap on bus fares and removing green levies from household energy bills, with the costs potentially transferred to general taxation. A temporary freeze on private-sector rents has also reportedly been discussed.

The incoming Prime Minister has insisted that his ambitions would be pursued within the Government’s existing borrowing rules, stressing that he intends to maintain discipline over the public finances.

However, the measures are likely to prompt close scrutiny over how they would be funded. Experts have also cautioned that bringing utilities into greater public control would not automatically result in lower bills, particularly given the substantial investment required across the water and energy sectors.

Burnham is set to be confirmed as Labour leader on Friday (17 July) before formally succeeding Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister on Monday. His administration is expected to focus on economic growth, greater devolution and tackling the continuing pressure on household finances.