UK PM Burnham Pledges Measures to Ease Household Costs, Says Government Must Give Working People ‘Room to Breathe’.
London:
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged a series of measures aimed at reducing everyday household costs, arguing that people who work hard should not have to live in constant fear of rising bills.
In a statement focused on the cost of living, Burnham said households were facing higher expenses for essentials including food, energy and transport, leaving many people with less money at the end of each month.
“Too many people who work hard every day dread the bills coming in,” Burnham said, arguing that rising costs should not simply be accepted as an unavoidable part of life.
The Prime Minister outlined a package of measures that he said was designed to put more money back into people’s pockets and provide greater financial breathing room.
Electricity tax cuts
Burnham said the government was cutting tax on electricity bills as part of its effort to reduce household energy costs. The measure is intended to ease pressure on consumers facing higher essential expenses.
£2 bus fares and free travel for disabled people
The government is also introducing a £2 cap on bus fares, according to Burnham. He said the policy would help reduce the cost of travelling for people who rely on buses for work and everyday activities.
He also announced 24/7 free bus travel for disabled people, expanding access to public transport for disabled passengers.
Changes to subscriptions and retail discounts
Burnham highlighted new consumer-protection measures targeting subscription services and promotional pricing.
Under the changes, companies will be required to make subscriptions as easy to cancel as they are to sign up for. The government is also taking action against what it describes as misleading discount practices.
“If it says half price, it should be half price,” Burnham said.
New arrangements for cancelled train services
The Prime Minister also pointed to changes affecting passengers whose trains are cancelled.
Under the new rules described by Burnham, passengers whose service is cancelled will be able to use their ticket automatically and immediately on other operators without paying an additional charge.
The measure is intended to give passengers greater flexibility when disruptions occur and reduce the inconvenience caused by cancelled services.
Support for pubs, clubs and live music venues
Burnham also announced a 20% reduction in business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues.
He said the measure was intended to support venues that play an important role in bringing communities together, while helping businesses facing financial pressure.
Burnham: Measures will not solve every problem
Acknowledging that the measures would not eliminate the wider pressures facing households, Burnham said he did not intend to suggest that the package would “fix everything”.
Instead, he argued that a series of individual changes could collectively make a meaningful difference to household finances.
“These changes add up,” Burnham said, adding that they would put money back into people’s pockets and give households “a bit more room to breathe”.
Burnham framed the measures as part of his broader approach to government, saying that supporting working people through high living costs should be a central responsibility of government.
“That’s what a government on your side should do,” he said, adding that this was what he was “focused on every day.”
The measures cover household energy, public transport, consumer protection, rail disruption and support for hospitality and entertainment businesses, forming a broad package focused on reducing or limiting some everyday costs.
