GB News was thrown into chaos after a breaking update delivered a massive blow to new Prime Minister Andy Burnham's latest big idea. The broadcaster cut away to reveal the newly appointed Labour chief is planning to slap a £2 cap on most single bus fares across England starting on January 1, 2027.
Plan aims to ease cost of living crisis
While the move is aimed at easing the brutal cost of living crisis, critics and political commentators were quick to brand the optimistic promise "problematic." The major transport shake-up will see single fares slashed by a third from the current £3 limit.
As a dramatic breaking news banner flashed on screen, guest commentator Duncan Barkes laid into the announcement live on air.
Critics question fiscal prudence
He said: "So what we are seeing here is this element of 'vibes politics' which is like 'hey, I'm going to make something great - here's some sweets, here's some treats.' But where is the detail? It is problematic. At some point, the bond markets will go 'you're promising us a hell of a lot of stuff here - how are you going to pay for it? You're not showing fiscal prudence.'"
Sceptical viewers quickly flooded social media to rip into the scheme, reports the Express. One furious user wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "Oh wow. How impressive. The UK is saved. So we 'changed' prime ministers for this scam?" Another chimed in: "Bit interesting timing this. Be good to see where the money's coming from and if it's actually gonna last."
Burnham defends policy
Announcing the policy, the new Prime Minister insisted that nobody should be "priced out" or "left behind" when trying to get around the country. Burnham said in a statement: "For too long people have said that cheaper transport isn't an option. I don't accept that. I've done it before and I will do it again now: a £2 cap on bus fares for millions across the country." He added: "Lower fares will help people get to where they need to - giving them breathing space to help with the cost of living."
The £2 cap relies on £454million in government backing, with funding set aside so devolved regions can follow suit. Downing Street revealed that £400m of the package will be raided from foreign climate finance funds and converted into loans, while the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will cough up the remainder. With the total bill expected to rocket past £500m, the rest of the cash will be scraped from existing Department for Transport bus budgets.
