Andy Burnham emerges as a cult political figure with an adoring cabinet and growing national appeal

From the Newshound archive · first published 4 October 2026.

Andy Burnham has scrapped VAT on electricity bills, saving households around £45 this winter, and capped bus fares at £2 as he moves to ease the cost-of-living squeeze in his first weeks as Prime Minister. He has also announced bans on rip-off subscription traps and discounts, action on school uniform costs, and business rates relief for pubs and music venues.

Burnham attributed four decades of privatisation across water, transport, housing and energy with leaving British consumers paying among the steepest energy bills anywhere in Europe.

Allies say the man once known for 'doing the buses' in Greater Manchester is now wielding the nuclear codes — with his cabinet expected to face scrutiny over whether they can deliver his ambitions.