Can Andy Burnham Really Live Up To His Promise To Ease The Cost Of Living?

The PM’s central pledge risks creating a rod for his own back.

Political Correspondent

Andy Burnham vowed to give Brits “some breathing space” when it comes to the cost of living during his first speech as prime minister.

That was only a month ago – and he has already unveiled a series of policies aimed at making everyday life a little easier for the general public.

But just last week, Burnham also admitted that the changes he made might not be enough.

He told the BBC: “We will do everything that is possible for us to do. But I think everyone knows I am in position with limited room for manoeuvre.”

It was a noteworthy admission considering he has made the cost of living the central mission for his government.

Burnham has implemented a £2 cap on single bus rides, scrapped VAT on household electricity bills and announced a ban on “subscription traps”.

He unveiled a 20% cut to business rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues from April onwards.

His government have also promised to help the number of unemployed young people as the number of 16 to 24-year-olds not in work surpassed a million this year for the first time in more than a decade.

The incremental changes he has unveiled appear to have had some cut-through, his net favourability rating of 13 is the highest for any prime minster since Boris Johnson at the start of the Covid........

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