coming from a childhood where £45 over a year made the difference, this rings as a change that seems to be in touch with people right at the bottom of the pile. I can only be thankful that this isn't a problem for me today
1. Vast improvement of shoplifting skills for millions of people.
2. Drug dealers are raking it in due to a miserable population.
3. Much slimmer population because we can't afford food and petrol.
4. No need to stop at red lights.
5. Retirees die much younger taking the load off the NHS.
I remember a time when £1 a week more would have made a difference. The difference then was £1 was worth more and we had to fight our own budgets to get that £1. Andy announced it and it is £1 no one will have to look for, its just given. Its not much on its own, but it all adds up. If it gets to £5 a week, £10 a week, you'll start to make tangible impacts to peoples living standards.
What needs to happen is that standing charges should all be scrapped across all utilities. People who use the least currently pay the most per unit - that is wrong on every level. Scrapping the vat does nothing to solve any problem.
And scrap vehicle excise duty and put it on fuel instead. Let those who use most pay the most, not the least.
Every journey begins with a first step/steps …. rough sleeping and the elimination of VAT on energy may only be the beginning of a journey that reduces the cost of living for those most in need. It will be the cumulative effect of many different policies over time, even if they don’t seem significant, that makes a bigger difference to all of us in society.
£45 might not be much for some people but it could be everything for some people. It could mean some little savings their bills could be a extra 2 christmas presents for 2 kids this year or a extra family trip to the cinema. For the majority of us it could mean one extra thing we can do in a year that we wouldn't have been able to do.
I hope Andy Burnham closes the corporation tax loophole that big US companies like Starbucks, Google, Microsoft, Amazon and other use..setting up operating companies in Dublin to avoid UK corporation tax. We are owed £ billions.
It's not the cost of living crisis. It's always been the corporate greed crisis.
B
bea_studies21 Jul 2026
It is a compelling point, Mara. I wonder if those "quick wins" depend more on the political climate than Burnham's own strategy.
M
Mara from Daily JunctionHost21 Jul 2026
Welcome everyone! It's fascinating to hear James talk about that "rare Brexit benefit" and how it might actually play into Andy Burnham's hands at No 10. Do you think Burnham has the right strategy to secure some quick wins early on? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Short term projects quickly implemented are exactly what are needed now! The electorate have to see and feel real changes. Get the public on board enough to get through the next election then look to long term projects. If labour can win the next election it will be because the people want Labour, not just to get rid of the Tories.
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1. Vast improvement of shoplifting skills for millions of people.
2. Drug dealers are raking it in due to a miserable population.
3. Much slimmer population because we can't afford food and petrol.
4. No need to stop at red lights.
5. Retirees die much younger taking the load off the NHS.
And scrap vehicle excise duty and put it on fuel instead. Let those who use most pay the most, not the least.