Andy Burnham says his ‘everyday fixes’ add up (Image: Getty)
Andy Burnham has come under fire after he set out a list of plans he said would help people save in the current cost of living crisis. The Prime Minister has outlined what he called “everyday fixes” that he says will add up.
But not all were convinced that his list would make a difference – and some even questioned whether the account was genuine. Others were quick to point out areas they believed would benefit people – and one told him to give
Posting on Facebook, the Prime Minister set out a list of changes that have been announced that will make a difference to households. He said: “On their own, some of the everyday fixes I’ve announced might not seem like much. But together they all add up.” He went on to list them saying: “Here’s a reminder. I’m making school uniforms cheaper – capping the number of expensive branded items schools can make you buy.”
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He then turned to other areas added: “I’m stopping airlines from charging you extra just to sit with your children, or to fix a typo. I’m cracking down on cowboy builders that take your hard-earned cash and don’t get the job done.
“I’m also ending unfair private parking charges, giving longer grace periods, and lower penalties for genuine mistakes. I’m tackling hidden charges and unreasonable management costs for leaseholders. And I’m making it easier to cancel subscriptions and cracking down on fake discounts.
“On their own, I know these don’t solve the cost of living. And there’s a lot more I want to do to help. But they do add up, and they matter to people.
“And while I will always be looking for these small everyday fixes, I am focused on fixing the big issues too. Like delivering stronger public control of water, energy, and housing to make the basics better for everyone, or building a National Care Service.
“We’ve also taken VAT off electricity bills, and are capping bus fares at £2 across England. A lot done so far. But a lot to do. I’m getting on with it.”
However while some of his followers welcomed what he was doing many were less impressed. Dan said: “A lot of us appreciate the support in changing what is big issues to most people, but you need to tackle the more important things that impact even more of the country like expensive fuel, increasing living costs and so forth. How about getting the ‘average Brit’ in for some real conversations on how we are impacted daily.”
Stephen said: “All good stuff, thanks!” Sarah added: “Good ideas. How will these be implemented and when?”
But Muhammad Waliullah Nurani, Founder, Director, CEO at DaleWay Group, wrote: “Aww that’s cute Andy. Thank you, you’ve done so well! but shall we now do some real work and actually start fixing the country! Can we Andy? Somebody please give this guy a wobble and remind him he’s the prime minister of the United Kingdom!”
Others also resorted to sarcasm with Mark saying: “Well done, Andy. Absolutely outstanding work. I must say, I was wondering how I was going to cope with the cost-of-living crisis, but thankfully you’ve come riding to the rescue with cheaper school badges, parking grace periods and the ability to correct a spelling mistake on an airline ticket.
“I’ve been doing some calculations, and thanks to all these incredible savings, I reckon I’ve saved just about enough to pay for tonight’s Chinese takeaway. So, as I tuck into my sweet and sour chicken balls and chicken fried rice, I’ll raise a glass to you, Andy. Without your tireless efforts, I might have had to go without the prawn crackers.
“Of course, my council tax, food shopping, insurance, fuel and every other household expense are still costing me a small fortune, but who cares about those minor details when I can cancel a subscription more easily?
“Keep up the fantastic work, Andy. At this rate, by Christmas 2030, I might have saved enough for a second Chinese takeaway. Truly transformational government. The nation is forever in your debt.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has come under fire (Image: Getty)
Ian asked: “Genuine question…is this a parody account?” And Kevin said: “Is this part of a script from the new series of ‘Yes Minister’?”
Others had suggestions for him about things they believed would make a real difference to people’s lives. Steve said: “Take tax off diesel/ petrol to allow people who work hard and pay their taxes be able to afford to get to work.” Felicity added: “Could you also look into how we can phone our doctors’ surgery, like we used to, to get an actual appointment.”
David said: “How about increasing the income tax threshold so all workers will benefit?” And another Steve asked: “Can the age which you pay full fare for things change to 18? If we want people to stay in education until 18, why are they charged as a working adult from 16?” Dave added: “Fuel tax, Council Tax, Income Tax, why can’t we start with those?”
Andy Burnham Told ‘Give This Guy a Wobble’ as He Outlines Changes ‘That Matter to People’
Andy Burnham has come under fire after presenting a list of everyday changes that he says will help British households cope with the cost-of-living crisis. While the Prime Minister insists that small improvements can make a meaningful difference when combined, critics have questioned whether cheaper school uniforms, fairer parking rules and reduced airline charges are enough to address the financial pressures facing millions of families.
The row erupted after Burnham published a Facebook message highlighting what he described as his government’s “everyday fixes”. He argued that individual measures might appear modest, but together they could save people money, reduce frustration and make daily life a little easier.
Not everyone was convinced. One critic called on people to “give this guy a wobble”, arguing that the Prime Minister needed to concentrate on the country’s bigger problems rather than celebrating relatively small changes. Others demanded action on fuel costs, taxation, food prices and public services. <Cite refs={[“turn676443search0″,”turn676443search11”]}/>
The reaction illustrates a difficult challenge for Burnham: demonstrating that his government understands the pressures ordinary households face while showing that its broader economic strategy can deliver lasting improvements.
What Are Burnham’s ‘Everyday Fixes’?
Burnham’s list includes several measures intended to reduce costs and tackle practices that the government believes treat consumers unfairly.
One major initiative concerns school uniforms. New rules introduced in England limit the number of compulsory branded items schools can require pupils to buy. The aim is to prevent families from being forced to purchase expensive clothing when cheaper alternatives would be suitable. <Cite refs={[“turn676443search10”]}/>
The government has also announced changes intended to protect airline passengers from additional charges. Under the proposed rules, airlines will be required to seat children under 14 alongside a parent or accompanying adult without an extra fee. Passengers will also receive greater flexibility to correct simple mistakes in booking details without being charged.
Private parking is another target. A new code of practice is intended to give drivers longer grace periods, clearer appeal rights and protection against penalties for specified genuine mistakes. The maximum private parking charge is to remain capped at £100, with lower charges applying to certain minor errors when an appeal succeeds. <Cite refs={[“turn676443search9″,”turn676443search1”]}/>
Other initiatives include making subscriptions easier to cancel, tackling misleading discount practices, pursuing rogue traders and addressing excessive charges faced by leaseholders.
Burnham’s message is that these are not merely administrative details. They are recurring frustrations that can cost households money and time, particularly when family budgets are already stretched.
Why Critics Are Demanding More
The criticism is not necessarily that these measures have no value. Instead, opponents question whether the government is placing too much emphasis on relatively small consumer reforms while major financial pressures remain unresolved.
For households struggling with high mortgage payments, rent, food bills, fuel and council tax, the savings from an individual reform may appear limited. A family might benefit from avoiding an unfair parking charge or paying less for school clothing, but those changes will not automatically make housing affordable or significantly increase disposable income.
In the response to Burnham’s post, some people welcomed the initiatives but called for more substantial action. Others questioned when particular measures would take effect and whether the promised benefits would be felt in practice. <Cite refs={[“turn676443search0″,”turn676443search12”]}/>
This points to a wider political problem. Governments often announce policies that are easy to explain and have visible effects on everyday life. Such measures can be useful, but they can also invite criticism if people believe they distract from deeper economic difficulties.
Burnham will therefore need to show not only that his consumer reforms work, but also that they form part of a credible plan for improving living standards.
The Cost-of-Living Crisis Remains the Bigger Test
The government’s everyday-fixes strategy comes as many households remain concerned about the cost of essentials.
Energy bills are a particular focus. The government has removed VAT from domestic electricity bills for six months, from October 2026 to March 2027. The Treasury estimates that the change makes the annualised energy price cap around £45 lower than it would otherwise have been for October to December. The actual saving for an individual household depends on its energy use and tariff. <Cite refs={[“turn676443search12”]}/>
The government has also announced a £2 cap on eligible single bus fares on participating services in England outside London for 2027, replacing the existing £3 cap. For passengers whose qualifying journeys currently cost £3, that could mean a £1 saving per trip.
These measures may help particular households, but their overall effect will vary. Someone who rarely uses buses will receive little direct benefit from a fare reduction, while a household with high energy consumption may remain concerned about its total bill despite the VAT cut.
The same principle applies to the rest of Burnham’s programme. Policies should be assessed according to who benefits, how much they save, when they begin and whether the savings persist.
Will the Changes Actually Make a Difference?
One difficulty with a package of small reforms is that the announced policy and the practical outcome are not always the same thing.
Some measures have already been introduced, while others require legislation, consultation or further implementation work. The airline protections, for example, are linked to the Civil Aviation Bill, while the private parking code must undergo parliamentary scrutiny before coming into force. <Cite refs={[“turn676443search9″,”turn676443search1”]}/>
That means households should not assume every promised change is already available.
The government will also need to ensure that businesses comply with the new rules. A policy that promises fairer treatment will have limited value if consumers cannot understand their rights or find an effective way to challenge a charge.
Clear guidance, effective enforcement and straightforward complaints procedures will be essential. Ministers should publish progress reports showing how many consumers have benefited and whether the reforms have reduced unfair charges.
Without that evidence, the government risks measuring success by the number of announcements rather than the improvements people actually experience.
What About Fuel, Tax and Public Services?
Among the suggestions made in response to Burnham’s post were reductions in fuel costs, changes to tax thresholds and improvements to access to GP appointments.
These demands illustrate how differently households experience financial pressure. Someone who relies on a car to travel to work may consider fuel costs a greater concern than airline fees. A family with school-age children may place a higher priority on childcare, while an older person may be more concerned about healthcare and energy bills.
There is no single consumer reform that can address all these pressures.
Reducing fuel taxes, for example, could lower costs for motorists, but it would also affect government revenue and would need to be considered alongside public spending commitments. Raising income tax thresholds could increase take-home pay for some workers, but it would also have implications for the public finances.
Likewise, improving access to GP appointments requires attention to staffing, capacity and the organisation of services rather than simply a change to consumer charges.
These are more complicated problems than correcting airline booking mistakes or changing parking rules. They also require ministers to explain the trade-offs involved and provide evidence that the proposed solutions are workable.
A Political Strategy Built Around Everyday Frustrations
Burnham’s approach reflects a strategy of focusing on problems people encounter regularly. The Guardian has described the programme as an attempt to address everyday frustrations through practical, visible measures, while noting that critics believe it cannot substitute for reforms addressing the country’s deeper economic and social challenges. <Cite refs={[“turn676443search11″,”turn676443search14”]}/>
There is a reasonable argument for dealing with both categories of problem.
A government does not need to choose between improving consumer protections and tackling long-term issues such as productivity, housing, healthcare and public finances. Small reforms can deliver tangible benefits while broader policies take longer to produce results.
However, the relationship between the two matters. If everyday fixes are presented as evidence that the cost-of-living crisis is being solved, people may feel that the government is overstating their significance. If they are presented as limited improvements within a larger programme, the public can assess them more realistically.
Burnham himself acknowledged that the measures do not solve the cost-of-living crisis and said there was more work to do. <Cite refs={[“turn676443search0″,”turn676443search12”]}/>
That admission is important because it recognises the difference between removing an unfair charge and addressing the underlying reasons household budgets are under pressure.
The Challenge Ahead for Burnham
The response to Burnham’s announcement demonstrates that people want policies they can see and feel in their daily lives. But they also want evidence that the government understands the scale of their financial difficulties.
The Prime Minister’s consumer reforms could provide genuine benefits if they are implemented effectively. Cheaper school uniforms, stronger protection against unfair parking penalties and reduced airline charges can all help particular families.
Yet those measures will not, on their own, resolve concerns about housing costs, taxes, wages, healthcare or the long-term sustainability of public services.
Burnham’s next challenge is to connect the everyday-fixes programme to a broader economic strategy, with clear targets and transparent evidence of progress.
Ultimately, the public will judge the government not by the number of initiatives it announces, but by whether households can afford their essentials, access the services they need and feel more financially secure.
The criticism that Burnham should be concentrating on bigger problems is therefore a challenge he cannot answer through another social-media post alone. He will need to demonstrate that the smaller reforms work—and show how his government intends to tackle the much larger pressures that remain.