Andy Burnham orders ministers to make 'difficult decisions' ahead of mass spending spree

Andy Burnham has admitted his Cabinet must make "difficult decisions" ahead of a massive spending spree to support the cost of living.

The new Prime Minister told his top team they would need to provide ideas on measures each of their departments could use to "take that little bit of pressure off people’s shoulders".

He added his Government would have to make cuts to focus on his priorities, including a £340million investment to end rough sleeping and a £850million plan to cut energy bills.

This morning, Mr Burnham confirmed single bus fares across England will be capped at £2 from January next year – a measure backed by £454million of funding.

Later today, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will announce a £600million package to back British aerospace, including some £500million for aerospace research and technology projects for greener air travel and £100million for a supply chain fund to help meet demand.

Speaking to his own ministers, Mr Burnham said: "We have to take a really hard look at what our priorities are and if we are to deliver on the cost of living and reducing the pressure, then we have got to be prepared to reprioritise.

"We have got to show fiscal discipline, we have got to show our commitment to the fiscal rules is real and that we are prepared to make difficult decisions in relation to that."

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Bus fares capped at £2 across England in major 'cost of living' push

Single bus fares across England will be capped at £2 from January, Andy Burnham has announced.

The nationwide cap is currently set at £3 until the end of March 2027.

But some areas, including London and Greater Manchester, where Mr Burnham set a £2 limit as Mayor, have lower top rates for single tickets.

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UK inflation falls to 2.6% as fuel and food prices ease

The rate of Consumer Prices Index inflation fell to 2.6 per cent in June from 2.8 per cent in May, the Office for National Statistics said.

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) recorded an annual inflation rate of 2.6 per cent in June 2026, down from 2.8 per cent in May.

The rate has not been this low since December 2024, when inflation stood at 2.5 per cent.

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