{"id":124202,"date":"2026-08-12T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/?p=124202"},"modified":"2026-08-12T09:58:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T08:58:12","slug":"burnham-hints-at-more-help-for-households","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/burnham-hints-at-more-help-for-households\/","title":{"rendered":"Burnham Hints at More Help for Households in Major October Move"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the government plans to go further in addressing the cost of living, with the Budget on 28 October<\/strong> expected to focus heavily on measures designed to reduce pressure on households and businesses. His comments follow a series of early announcements, including the removal of VAT from domestic electricity bills and a planned 20% reduction in business rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues in England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Burnham acknowledged that the measures announced so far would not, by themselves, provide a complete answer for people facing higher costs. Speaking during a BBC Radio 5 <\/strong>Live interview, he described his approach as an \u201caccumulation of smaller things\u201d intended to \u201ccombine to take the pressure down\u201d, while stressing that further commitments would depend on what could be funded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further Cost-Of-Living Measures Are Being Considered<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to the BBC, Burnham has asked Chancellor John Healey to examine what further action the government can take on the cost of living ahead of the October Budget<\/a>. Healey has said this will be his \u201cmain focus\u201d, although he has also committed to maintaining \u201cstrong fiscal discipline<\/strong>\u201d, limiting the amount of additional spending available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Burnham said he accepted criticism that his existing announcements were not enough. \u201cI can accept criticism that this isn\u2019t enough, because I wouldn\u2019t say it\u2019s enough,\u201d he told the BBC. He added that his approach was to act where possible and reduce pressure in smaller stages rather than claim that every problem could be resolved at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The prime minister also referred to possible changes involving essential services. He said he wanted \u201cmore public control\u201d of energy<\/strong>, water <\/strong>and housing<\/strong>, while acknowledging that reversing the privatisation of water companies in England and Wales would not be straightforward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rail fares are another area he intends to examine. Following the return of rail operators to public ownership, Burnham <\/a>said he wanted to \u201cremodel the rail fares so that we can get more public benefit for people<\/em>\u201d. The government has also announced that people living within 500 metres of new or upgraded electricity pylons and substations across Britain will receive a \u00a3250 annual discount<\/strong> on their bills for ten years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Too many people feel like modern life is designed to catch them out.

It should be just as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to start it. And if something is advertised as half price, it should actually be half price.

So I'm taking action.

We\u2019re taking every opportunity\u2026<\/p>— Andy Burnham (@andyburnham) August 10, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>