Prime Minister Andy Burnham Proposes Written Constitution and New Cost of Living Measures

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signaled his support for a written constitution to establish a new set of principles for how the country is run. Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, stated that a formal constitution would empower regional areas and prevent people from having to argue for fundamental rights that are already granted in other parts of the country. This proposal follows his plans for increased devolution, which include allowing regional mayors in England to keep a share of local taxes. The UK currently operates without a single authoritative document, relying instead on a combination of statutes, common law, and treaties.

Simultaneously, the Prime Minister has pledged to increase cost of living support for families. He has already introduced measures such as a cut in VAT on energy bills, reduced business rates for pubs, and a cap on bus fares at 2 pounds through 2027. Burnham noted that these priorities were shaped by conversations with voters regarding the difficulty of affording holidays, outings, and drinks. He also indicated that high rail fares are a target for future review, though he cautioned against making false promises.

Chancellor John Healey has stated he will monitor food and petrol prices closely to protect the public from price gouging, particularly as the war in Iran impacts costs. While Healey acknowledged that the government cannot completely stop the economic squeeze, he warned that regulators have the power to clamp down on unfair price rises. Healey announced that the first Budget will take place on October 28 and will be built on fiscal discipline. He informed the cabinet that no new money is available for fresh pledges, requiring departments to shift funding away from unproductive or legacy programs.

In other developments, Bev Craig has been elected as the new mayor of Greater Manchester, succeeding Burnham. Craig won the post after a second round of counting, securing 47.15 percent of the vote in the first round. The anti immigration Reform UK party finished second with 21 percent of the vote, while overall turnout was just under 25 percent.