Andy Burnham is set to launch a national tour this week aimed at finding out what the Government can do to ease the pressure on households, with ministers preparing further measures on the cost of living.

Officials said the Prime Minister will spend much of August in “listening mode”, travelling beyond Westminster to hear directly from voters about bills, services and the state of their local communities.

‘Room to Breathe’ Becomes Summer Mission

The tour will feed into the Government’s long-term plans, with further measures expected after energy cost reductions and a £2 cap on bus fares were announced during his first week in Downing Street.

High streets will also be a major focus, as the Government looks to tackle everyday costs and improve town centres. A spokesperson said the Prime Minister wanted to meet people “where they are” rather than remain inside Westminster.

The pressure is mounting. Inflation has remained higher than expected following the fallout from the Iran war, while an Ipsos poll found 30% of people named the economy as a major concern and 22% specifically cited inflation or prices.

Opposition Brands Tour a ‘Vanity’ Exercise

The political attacks have already begun, with opponents accusing Mr Burnham of offering little more than incremental measures while households and businesses struggle.

Reform economic spokesman Robert Jenrick called for green levies and taxes on energy bills to be scrapped, alongside a pledge not to raise taxes in October’s Budget. He also demanded cuts to the benefits bill.

High Streets Become the Next Political Battleground

Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride accused Labour of driving up costs through tax rises and red tape, while Liberal Democrat Treasury spokeswoman Daisy Cooper said struggling businesses needed more than a summer tour.

Opposition parties are pushing their own prescriptions, including changes to business rates, VAT relief for hospitality and action against empty shopfronts.

With the Government promising to tackle the cost of living and revive Britain's high streets, the summer listening exercise is becoming a test of whether voters hear meaningful action — or simply another round of political promises.

Burnham to kick off national tour to hear cost-of-living concerns

Didn't he ask all those questions when he was Mayor of Manchester?

If not, it is a bit late now.

12 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Didn't he ask all those questions when he was Mayor of Manchester?

If not, it is a bit late now.

Why would he have asked those questions to people around the country when he was mayor of Manchester? If that what mayors do? Does Sadiq Khan go and ask people in Newcastle what he can do for them?

Just now, josephbloggs said:

Why would he have asked those questions to people around the country when he was mayor of Manchester? If that what mayors do? Does Sadiq Khan go and ask people in Newcastle what he can do for them?

I am sorry if you are that thick that you do not understand a simple statement!

He should have been asking them in Manchester when he was Mayor of Manchester!

According to him the North (Manchester) reflects what he claims is wrong with the UK!

Also why did he become PM without knowing the (non) answers to those questions?

34 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Didn't he ask all those questions when he was Mayor of Manchester?

If not, it is a bit late now.

The cost of living across the nation was not something he has to deal with while he was doing a fist class move as Mayor of Manchester.

16 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

I am sorry if you are that thick that you do not understand a simple statement!

He should have been asking them in Manchester when he was Mayor of Manchester!

According to him the North (Manchester) reflects what he claims is wrong with the UK!

Also why did he become PM without knowing the (non) answers to those questions?

You didn't say anything of the sort. It's fine, you just need a needless bash.

Man becomes PM, man promises to give voices to towns and cities outside of London, man pledges to go and listen to people across the country, hear their problems. Man on AseanNow turns that in to a ridiculous bash that he should know all of these answers immediately.

16 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

He should have been asking them in Manchester when he was Mayor of Manchester!

I am sorry if you are too thick to Google if something happened or not before you claim it didn't. He held regular Q&A sessions with the public, almost 30 of them during his tenure. The ony time they didn't happen was during the pandemic.

Next time try a little bit harder, especially before flying in with insults.

1 minute ago, josephbloggs said:

I am sorry if you are too thick to Google if something happened or not before you claim it didn't. He held regular Q&A sessions with the public, almost 30 of them during his tenure. The ony time they didn't happen was during the pandemic.

Which is why they are needless now and are just a PR exercise which you and his acolytes have fallen for!

20 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Which is why they are needless now and are just a PR exercise which you and his acolytes have fallen for!

Okey Dokey. So if he decided to sit in his office and never talk to anyone you wouldn't criticise him.

Just bash if he does, bash if he doesn't. You're funny.

The fear that Burnham is doing a good job is palpable.

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

The fear that Burnham is doing a good job is palpable.

That comment should be in the joke section where Burnham belongs!

1 minute ago, scottiejohn said:

That comment should be in the joke section where Burnham belongs!

And just like that, here you are desperate for him to fail.

2 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

That comment should be in the joke section where Burnham belongs!

One day you might write an actual valid criticism with some logic or reasoning behind it. So far it is just nonsensical bashes.

Then again....

1 minute ago, josephbloggs said:

One day you might write an actual valid criticism with some logic or reasoning behind it. So far it is just nonsensical bashes.

Then again....

So might you, but I have my doubts regarding any ability on your part to do that with your present blinkers on!

5 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

And just like that, here you are desperate for him to fail.

He is failing already with his holiday that he promised not to take and the appointment of criminals to his cabinet, etc, etc!

3 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

So might you, but I have my doubts regarding any ability on your part to do that with your present blinkers on!

I have so far just responded to your bashes with information on what he's doing and what he did as mayor - where he was very active with the public and in taking in their views, it is why he was elected three times. SO he must have been doing something right, and no-one can say it's because of the Muslims like they do with Khan and his success.

It remains to be seen whether or not he will be a successful PM. The early signs are positive. He deserves a chance and I like the fact he is keen to listen to actual people rather than only listening to his paymasters like a certain frog faced foghorn.

Time will tell.

21 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

He is failing already with his holiday that he promised not to take and the appointment of criminals to his cabinet, etc, etc!

That’s two claims by you.

Now let’s have a credible link to confirm each.

31 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

That’s two claims by you.

Now let’s have a credible link to confirm each.

Until recently, both close friends and staff of Mr Burnham claimed he had cancelled plans to join his family on holiday, with this replaced by a tour of Britain to meet voters towards the end of August.

As recently as July 25, Downing Street told the Mail that Mr Burnham would not be heading off for a break after becoming Prime Minister.

But on Monday No10 confirmed he would be travelling abroad to spend time with his family, . Louise Haigh, the First Secretary of State, is the most senior minister officially working in Westminster during his absence, effectively acting as his deputy and ensuring Cabinet instructions are carried out. It is understood that convicted fraudster Ms Haigh will be working this week as normal.

Andy Burnham jets off on foreign holiday two weeks after becoming Prime Minister... and leaves Louise Haigh as the most senior minister in Westminster | Daily Mail Online

Burnham goes on holiday after two weeks in the job

Edited August 9Aug 9 by scottiejohn

2 hours ago, scottiejohn said:

I am sorry if you are that thick that you do not understand a simple statement!

Pot calling the kettle on this one I think, we have got a live one here.

2 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Until recently, both close friends and staff of Mr Burnham claimed he had cancelled plans to join his family on holiday, with this replaced by a tour of Britain to meet voters towards the end of August.

As recently as July 25, Downing Street told the Mail that Mr Burnham would not be heading off for a break after becoming Prime Minister.

But on Monday No10 confirmed he would be travelling abroad to spend time with his family, . Louise Haigh, the First Secretary of State, is the most senior minister officially working in Westminster during his absence, effectively acting as his deputy and ensuring Cabinet instructions are carried out. It is understood that convicted fraudster Ms Haigh will be working this week as normal.

Andy Burnham jets off on foreign holiday two weeks after becoming Prime Minister... and leaves Louise Haigh as the most senior minister in Westminster | Daily Mail Online

Burnham goes on holiday after two weeks in the job

Right so you have no links to any statement from Andy Burnham in which he said he would not take a holiday.

You have no links to any statement from Andy Burnham in which he said he would not appoint criminals to his cabinet.

Your claim he has failed on these two points are utterly baseless.

Edited August 9Aug 9 by Chomper Higgot

33 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Your claim he has failed on these two points are utterly baseless.

Goodbye!

There is no point in trying to discuss anything with someone like you who cannot accept posted proven facts!

4 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Goodbye!

There is no point in trying to discuss anything with someone like you who cannot accept posted proven facts!

Your “proven facts” for which you can’t produce links, AKA stuff you made up.

If everybody in the country worked 16 hrs a day 7 days a week with no holidays and had to work until they were 90 before the were entitled to a pittance of a pension the country would be a lot better off.

Just as long as it only applies to everybody else and not me.

On tour looking how the oinks' are integrating with the latest bunch of rapists dumped in hotels and HMO's in their towns is not on the menu.

Disappointing.

When I read the headline I thought he might have done a Humza. 😄