PM expected to announce policies to tackle cost of living and indicate intent to help improve country\u2019s high streets<\/p>\n
Andy Burnham is to undertake a national tour this coming week as he aims to improve the government\u2019s connection with the British public during his premiership.<\/p>\n
The prime minister is expected to announce a set of policies that will help people financially as many struggle with the cost of living, as well as indicate his intent to improve high streets across the country.<\/p>\n
Burnham has previously given the public \u201cbreathing space\u201d since succeeding Keir Starmer in the role last month, but is said to be in \u201clistening mode\u201d as he tours Britain and pushes his \u201c10-year plan to bring back hope\u201d.<\/p>\n
While an official itinerary has yet to be released by Downing Street, the prime minister is expected to visit areas where Labour has lost support in the last decade, as well as areas hit by declining industry.<\/p>\n
Port Talbot in south Wales, which is home to the largest steelworks in the UK, is likely to be one of the stops given the closure of its final blast furnace in 2024.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for Burnham said: \u201cHe thinks Westminster has got used to telling people that everyday hassles \u2013 like hidden pricing and consumers being ripped off \u2013 must be accepted as part of life. He doesn\u2019t think that\u2019s right. That\u2019s why he\u2019s going to start rolling out a series of pro-consumer cost of living measures to give people some room to breathe.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the fallout of the Iran war keeping inflation higher than expected, the cost of living remains a big concern among the public. A poll published by Ipsos at the end of July found 30% of people listed the economy as a leading concern while 22% listed inflation or prices specifically.<\/p>\n
But opposition figures have accused Burnham of \u201ctinkering\u201d with his announcements. The shadow chancellor, Mel Stride, accused the prime minister of \u201cbreathtaking hypocrisy\u201dand claimed that Labour was \u201chammering our high streets\u201d by forcing businesses to close with the party\u2019s \u201cred tape\u201d policies.<\/p>\n
The Tory MP also accused the government of \u201cplotting to release dangerous criminals on to our streets\u201d.<\/p>\n
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Stride added: \u201cIf Burnham is really serious about cutting the cost of living, he should adopt our plan for stronger high streets \u2013 including scrapping business rates for thousands of high street firms. And if he wants people to feel proud of the places where they live, he should scrap his disastrous plans to let vile criminals walk free.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reform UK\u2019s Treasury spokesperson, Robert Jenrick, said Burnham should scrap green levies and taxes on energy bills. He added: \u201cIt\u2019s high time the Labour party cut the ballooning benefits bill so we can relieve pressure on the hard-working majority that hold our country together.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Liberal Democrats\u2019 Treasury spokesperson, Daisy Cooper, echoed Stride\u2019s criticisms regarding bureaucracy and accused the prime minister of \u201cembarking on a vanity tour this summer\u201d.<\/p>\n