Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to begin a nationwide cost of living tour on Monday, 10 August, during which he will engage with communities across the UK to gather views on how government can better support household finances.
Over the course of August, Mr Burnham will travel extensively, aiming to understand the everyday challenges people face and to identify straightforward measures to lessen financial burdens. Officials have described the initiative as a period of listening, with Mr Burnham keen to hear directly from the public.
Central to the tour is a series of proposed “everyday fixes” intended to tackle escalating bills and aid local high streets. One key announcement will be the acceleration of new regulations on subscription services, designed to reduce “subscription traps.” These reforms will require companies to be more transparent about costs and to simplify the cancellation process. Initially planned for spring next year, the government will now bring these measures into effect from January.
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Additionally, Mr Burnham plans to launch a consultation on prohibiting deceptive discount practices by extending the Competition and Markets Authority’s list of banned behaviours. This aims to curb tactics such as artificially inflating prices to offer misleading discounts, which create a false impression of value for consumers.
In his statement, Mr Burnham acknowledged widespread frustration, saying, “I know people are sick and tired of rip-off discounts and subscription traps. Westminster has become accustomed to treating these everyday annoyances as unavoidable, but I believe we must do better, especially as many are struggling with the cost of living.”
The Prime Minister described these initial proposals as “just the start,” with further announcements anticipated throughout the summer.
Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, welcomed the plans, highlighting that subscription traps and misleading discounts are a common issue affecting many.
Research from Citizens Advice has revealed that 26 per cent of UK adults unintentionally took out a subscription in a year. The government estimates that its subscription reforms could save households around £14 monthly.
However, opposition parties have criticised Mr Burnham’s summer agenda as a “vanity tour,” offering only minor adjustments rather than significant relief, and have called for broader tax reductions to address the cost of living crisis.
Mr Burnham’s tour follows commitments made during his first week in office to offer the public “breathing space” on household bills, including cuts to VAT on household energy and a £2 cap on bus fares.
Despite these measures, cost of living remains a pressing concern for many, especially with inflation exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Iran. A recent Ipsos poll conducted at the end of July found that 30 per cent of respondents identified the economy as a major concern, with 22 per cent specifically citing inflation and rising prices.
This tour represents the government’s latest effort to engage with the public and develop policies aimed at easing financial pressures amid challenging economic conditions.