Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced several new rules since taking office in July, affecting millions of people in the UK. These include changes to bereavement leave, pregnancy loss leave, Cash ISA limits, digital ID apps for alcohol sales, bus fare caps, and school uniform items.
Bereavement leave and pregnancy loss
On Tuesday, September 22, the government announced new rules for taking time off work after the death of a family member. From April 2027, employees who lose a spouse or partner, parent, adult child or sibling will have a new right to bereavement leave. This will also cover step, half, adoptive, kinship care and foster relationships, which currently have no legal right to bereavement leave.
GOV.UK said: "At the hardest moments in life, people should not have to worry about whether they can take time off work to grieve. These common sense changes recognise that every family deserves the time and space to mourn the people they love, and extend protections to those who are currently excluded, including someone who loses a stepchild."
Minister for the Future of Work, Kate Dearden, said: "No one should have to fight for time to grieve. These changes back people going through some of the hardest moments of life, whoever they are and wherever they work. I want to thank the campaigners, whose courage and testimonies, have made this change happen."
Also on Tuesday, the government shared changes for leave after pregnancy loss. Women and their partners who experience a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks – including miscarriage, terminations and unsuccessful IVF embryo transfers – will be entitled to up to two weeks of unpaid leave. Currently, there is no legal right to bereavement leave in these circumstances, despite it being estimated that one in five women in the UK experience a miscarriage throughout their lifetime.
Vicki Robinson, Miscarriage UK chief executive, said: "We welcome today’s announcement that bereavement leave for pre-24-week pregnancy loss will become law in April 2027, with an increased minimum of two weeks’ leave and an entitlement that recognises partners, too. This is an important step in recognising pregnancy loss as a bereavement and the profound impact it can have, and we hope will provide a baseline for employers to go further. We still strongly believe bereavement leave should be paid, and we will continue to press for this through our Leave for Every Loss campaign. We will continue to work with the government to ensure the details and guidance provide meaningful and compassionate support for everyone affected by pregnancy loss."
Cash ISA limit cut and digital ID apps
The government has confirmed a major change for anyone with a Cash ISA. The savings allowance will be reduced from the current maximum of £20,000 down to £12,000, coming into force from April 2027. This means some people could see a 22% charge on interest paid. More than 14 million people in the UK hold a Cash ISA, which currently allows saving up to £20,000 every tax year. From April 6, 2027, the maximum amount for those under 65 will decrease by £8,000 to £12,000.
Advice on the government website reads: "The new cash ISA limit for those under 65 will be £12,000. The limits for Innovative Finance ISAs, LISAs and Stocks and Shares ISAs will remain the same." The purpose of the change is to encourage retail investment and promote better returns for those wanting to save money using a savings account.
Pubs, bars, restaurants, music venues and other licensed premises across England and Wales will have the choice to introduce digital proof of age for alcohol sales. New rules came into force on September 15. GOV.UK said: "For customers, while it will take businesses time to widely adopt and accept digital proof-of-age, it will provide a convenient alternative to carrying physical ID. Whether buying a drink at their favourite pub, heading to a festival or enjoying a night out at a concert, customers won’t need to worry if they’ve left their ID at home - they can use their phone to prove their age."
Digital Government Minister Stephanie Peacock said: "From pubs and restaurants to music venues and festivals, licensed businesses carry out millions of age checks every year. It will remain an individual or business’ choice whether to use or adopt it, and physical ID will remain a valid way for customers to prove their age. This groundbreaking change in the law will mean you do not need to carry a physical ID, nor hand over sensitive personal information such as your name or address just to prove your age - allowing everyone to feel safer on a night out."
Bus fare cap and school uniforms
During his first week in office, the Prime Minister announced a cap on single bus tickets at £2. Millions of people will save a third on bus travel when cheaper fares come into force from January 2027. According to the government, the cap on fares outside of London will help millions of people access affordable bus travel more easily, particularly helping passengers in rural and coastal areas where single fares can be higher.
As he announced the new plan, Mr Burnham said: "Good, affordable transport links are an essential. No one should be priced out of those and left behind. But 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. As I said on my first day in office – I will build a country for everyone, everywhere. That means more connected communities, better access to opportunities, and a lighter load on people's lives."
Earlier this year it was confirmed the government would be changing the rules surrounding how many branded items families must purchase for school uniforms. The change came into place on Tuesday, September 1. As part of the new rule, schools are required to cap the number of branded uniform items to three, not including a tie. The school can decide which items are branded, whether this be a jumper, polo shirt, P.E top, blazer or school bag. The statutory guidance said: "All branded items should be kept to a minimum." Mr Burnham added: "We're making school uniforms cheaper. We're limiting the branded items you have to buy to a maximum of three. Same uniform, less money."
