Prime Minister Andy Burnham said current cost-of-living assistance is not enough to support struggling households [1].
This acknowledgment signals a potential shift in fiscal policy as the government prepares its next budget. If additional measures are implemented, it could represent a significant increase in public spending to combat inflation and household financial pressure.
Speaking during an interview on the BBC program "Wake up to Money," Burnham said he has asked Chancellor John Healey to look at further measures for the upcoming budget [1, 2]. The Prime Minister said that while some support has been provided, the existing measures do not fully relieve the pressure on household budgets [1, 2].
"I accept that what we have announced so far is not enough on its own," Burnham said [1].
Burnham said the solution likely involves a combination of various policies rather than a single large intervention. He said that the government needs an accumulation of smaller things that combine to take the pressure down [1].
In a separate interview with the Sunday Mirror, Burnham discussed the personal impact of the economic crisis on citizens. He said that people struggling to take their children out, visit a pub, or go on holiday drive his decisions [3].
These comments come as the administration faces ongoing scrutiny over the effectiveness of its economic strategy. The request to the Chancellor on Oct. 28, 2026 [1] places the focus on the Treasury to identify specific areas where additional funding or policy changes can provide immediate relief to the public [1, 2].
“"I accept that what we have announced so far is not enough on its own."”
The Prime Minister's admission suggests that the government's initial response to the cost-of-living crisis failed to meet the actual needs of the population. By directing the Chancellor to seek further measures, the administration is acknowledging that inflation and price hikes are outpacing current subsidies, which may lead to a more aggressive spending package in the next budget to prevent further decline in living standards.
