Stories

Mon, 20 Jul 2026

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 Burnham promises help with your money. How could it affect you?

The new PM says he will look at how much people can earn before paying tax but admitted changing it would be difficult.
Key Points: 1. Cost of Living Support: Burnham has pledged to provide support for households struggling with rising costs, including:
* A freeze on bus fares in England until March next year
* The introduction of a £3 cap on bus fares in England outside London (which is already voluntary and not all bus companies have signed up)
* The freezing of rail fares in England for the first time in 30 years until March 2027 2. Housing: Burnham aims to build more council homes, which sits alongside the government's existing ambitious home-building target (already behind schedule). However, building homes does not necessarily make them cheaper. 3. Social Care System Reform: Burnham has expressed his desire to reform the social care system before leaving office, a complex and potentially expensive policy that others have tried and failed to tackle. 4. State Pension Triple Lock: The new PM will stick with the state pension triple lock, which sees it increase in line with the highest of inflation, average wages or 2.5% every year. Other Key Issues:
* Sickness and disability benefits
* Getting young people into work
* Reacting to events beyond control (e.g., global economic shifts, natural disasters) Burnham's policies are shaped by his experience as the mayor of Greater Manchester, particularly in changing the bus network.