Andy Burnham, expected to become Prime Minister by July 20, is preparing a rapid rollout of policies in his first weeks in office, targeting cost of living issues. Key proposals include interventions to lower energy bills, potentially by reforming how green levies are funded, and reducing public transport costs through cheaper fares and expanded affordable schemes. These initiatives are part of a broader plan for his initial 100 days, which his team has been developing in collaboration with his chief of staff, James Purnell, and Cabinet Secretary Antonio Romeo.
Another significant policy under consideration is raising the salary threshold for students with Plan 2 loans, which were taken out by undergraduates in England between 2012 and 2023. Many of these graduates have seen their loan balances increase beyond the original amount due to high-interest accrual outpacing repayments. While fiscal responsibility is a stated priority, an emergency Budget has not been ruled out to fund these significant measures, though such a budget would require approximately 10 weeks for the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) to prepare forecasts, indicating it could not occur before the autumn conference recess.
Burnham's team aims for a few high-impact announcements in his first fortnight, with energy and transport costs being top priorities. While hundreds of policy ideas have been submitted, only a select few are expected to be announced initially. The appointment of his Chancellor is highly anticipated, with Ed Miliband, Pat McFadden, Yvette Cooper, and John Healey all considered potential candidates. Shabana Mahmood is reportedly set to be named his finance minister, according to the Financial Times.
Beyond immediate interventions, Burnham's agenda also involves considering amendments to existing budget bills to expedite changes, such as reducing business rates for pubs, clubs, and music venues. After a busy initial two weeks, Burnham is expected to embark on a tour of the country in August, signaling a continued focus on addressing public concerns directly.
