More than three-quarters of British adults are worried about the personal impact of rising living costs over the next six months, yet only a quarter believe new Prime Minister Andy Burnham will improve the country, according to an Ipsos poll.
Public anxiety over rising prices
The survey found that 76% of Britons are concerned about the cost of living increases ahead. Nearly seven in 10 (68%) expect inflation to rise over the coming year, and 47% anticipate a drop in their disposable income. An overwhelming 77% predict their food shopping will become more expensive in the next six months, while three in four brace for higher utility bills.
Low expectations for Burnham
Fewer than three in 10 people (28%) hold positive views of the new PM's premiership, with 21% viewing him negatively and 42% neutral. Only 26% expect Mr Burnham to make things better, 15% expect a change for the worse, and 40% think his arrival will make no difference. In contrast, when Sir Keir Starmer arrived in office, 43% thought he would deliver change for the better.
On the key issue of cost of living, 22% expect Mr Burnham's government to do a good job, 23% a bad job, and the rest are neutral or don't know.
Political reactions
Gideon Skinner of Ipsos said: “Many Britons are reserving judgement at this stage on how well the new PM will deliver, but they don’t want to wait too long before they see some improvements. Four in 10 think seeing some signs of tangible change within the year is a realistic expectation – but only half that think they actually will.”
Mr Burnham has made tackling the cost of living an early centrepiece of his premiership. He declared a mission to “give people breathing space” and announced the removal of VAT from domestic electricity bills on his second day in office.
John O'Connell, chief executive at the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: “Andy Burnham says he wants a cost of living government, but that will mean nothing if families are hit with higher taxes, frozen thresholds and more expensive bills. The new prime minister should give taxpayers immediate breathing space by cutting taxes, ending fiscal drag and getting spending under control.”
Matt Vickers, deputy chairman of the Conservative party, attacked Mr Burnham, saying: “He entered government without a plan, which is why his announcements this week were unfunded, meaning taxes or borrowing will have to go up to pay for them. This is not good enough for the hardworking families and businesses who have suffered under two years of Labour.
“Under Kemi Badenoch, [our] cheap power plan will cut energy bills by £200, we will recruit 20,000 more soldiers by reinstating the two child benefit cap and we will abolish stamp duty on primary homes.”
