Andy Burnham has used his first fortnight as prime minister to roll out a rapid series of policy announcements spanning the cost of living, housing, transport and business support, in an apparent effort to signal a clear break from his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer. The approach appears to be paying off politically, with Burnham's net approval rating reportedly reaching 19 points in a recent More in Common poll, surpassing any figure Starmer achieved while in office, though further detail on funding is expected when chancellor John Healey delivers his first Budget on 28 October.

Among the confirmed measures are the scrapping of VAT on household electricity bills from October, expected to save around £45 per household and costing roughly £850 million this financial year, funded by cancelling the planned Digital ID programme. Burnham has also reinstated the £2 bus fare cap, pledged £340 million to help end rough sleeping by providing 1,200 homes and support for at least 3,000 long-term rough sleepers, announced a 20 per cent cut to business rates for pubs, clubs and music venues from April, and proposed establishing a "Number 10 in the North" office in Manchester. Experts have warned that funding these commitments could ultimately require tax rises.