Burnham launches UK tour to tackle cost of living with £400m consumer savings plan

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is embarking on a national tour to reconnect with the British public and address the cost of living crisis, which remains a major concern for voters across the country.

According to a recent poll, 30% of people listed the economy as a leading concern, while 22% specifically cited inflation or prices. Burnham's tour aims to improve the government's connection with voters while he works on what he calls a "10-year plan to bring back hope."

The consumer protection measures

Burnham plans to announce a series of measures to tackle what he describes as "rip-off" business practices. The government estimates the crackdown will save consumers £400 million a year.

The centrepiece is a ban on misleading pricing tactics used by retailers. The government will prohibit fake "was" prices, invented reductions, and misleading recommended retail prices designed to make discounts appear larger than they actually are. Burnham wrote that "if something is advertised as half price, it should actually be half price."

The government will also speed up protections against subscription traps. New rules will force businesses to provide clearer upfront information about costs and make it easier for consumers to cancel unwanted subscriptions. A 14-day cooling-off period will allow consumers to cancel after a trial or when a long-term contract renews.

These changes are set to come into force in January 2027. The government will launch a consultation in autumn on the precise practices to be covered and how the ban will work, before introducing the changes through secondary legislation. Downing Street hopes to implement the measures as soon as possible and does not expect a lengthy parliamentary process.

High street revival and local powers

Burnham's tour will also focus on improving high streets across the country. The government plans to give councils more powers to block vape and betting shops on high streets, as part of efforts to revitalise town centres.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "He thinks Westminster has got used to telling people that everyday hassles – like hidden pricing and consumers being ripped off – must be accepted as part of life. He doesn't think that's right. That's why he's going to start rolling out a series of pro-consumer cost of living measures to give people some room to breathe."

While an official itinerary has not yet been released, the tour is expected to visit areas where Labour has lost support in recent years and regions hit by industrial decline.