Prime Minister Andy Burnham will launch a nationwide tour this week to consult the public on how the UK Government can enhance their daily lives. He says that he will be asking voters directly: "What would actually make your life better?"
Listening Mode Across the Country
Officials confirmed the Prime Minister would be in "listening mode" as he dedicates much of the remainder of August to travelling across the country to discuss the cost of living.
Having pledged to provide the public with "breathing space", he is anticipated to announce a series of measures designed to ease household bills, building on the cuts to energy costs and a £2 cap on bus fares revealed during his first week in Downing Street.
Focus on High Street Revival
Mr Burnham will also concentrate on revitalising high streets, with officials stating he would draw on the summer tour to shape his 10-year plan for the nation.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said he would be "getting out of Westminster and meeting people where they are".
They added: "He thinks Westminster has got used to telling people that everyday hassles – like hidden pricing and consumers being ripped off – must be accepted as part of life.
"He doesn't think that's right. That's why he's going to start rolling out a series of pro-consumer cost-of-living measures to give people some room to breathe."
Public Concern and Political Reaction
With the aftermath of the Iran war keeping inflation higher than anticipated, the cost of living continues to rank among the public's primary concerns.
A poll published by Ipsos at the end of July revealed 30% of people identified the economy as a significant concern while 22% cited inflation or prices specifically. Yet opposition politicians have accused Mr Burnham of merely "tinkering" with his proposals.
Reform UK's economic spokesman Robert Jenrick urged the Prime Minister to "scrap green levies and taxes on energy bills", while ruling out tax increases in October's budget.
He added: "It's high time the Labour Party cut the ballooning benefits bill so we can relieve pressure on the hardworking majority that hold our country together."
Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride branded Mr Burnham guilty of "breathtaking hypocrisy", claiming tax rises and "red tape" were "hammering our high streets", compelling businesses to shut down and pushing prices upwards.
He added: "Meanwhile Labour are plotting to release dangerous criminals onto our streets, leaving people feeling unsafe in their communities.
"If Burnham is really serious about cutting the cost of living, he should adopt our plan for stronger high streets – including scrapping business rates for thousands of high street firms.
"And if he wants people to feel proud of the places where they live, he should scrap his disastrous plans to let vile criminals walk free."
Lib Dem Treasury spokeswoman Daisy Cooper said: "Struggling high street businesses have been pushed to the brink by Labour's tax hikes and unnecessary new red tape.
"They need more than a new PM embarking on a vanity tour this summer.
"If the Prime Minister is serious about revitalising our town centres, he should immediately adopt the Liberal Democrats' plan to breathe life back into our high streets.
"That means reversing the damaging jobs tax, delivering an emergency VAT cut for hospitality, replacing broken business rates and cracking down on the ghost landlords leaving our shopfronts vacant."
