As Andy Burnham settles into his role as the UK's 59th Prime Minister, one week on from taking office, it's clear that his leadership is being watched closely – not just by those in the North who have dubbed him the 'King of the North', but also by residents and business owners across the South of England. With a flurry of policy announcements aimed at tackling the cost of living crisis, Mr Burnham has set an ambitious tone for his premiership, with household finances and support for businesses firmly on the agenda.
The VAT reduction on electricity bills, a flagship policy announced within hours of taking office, is expected to save households approximately £45 annually. While some internal party members have questioned the financial viability of this measure, residents in the South of England have generally welcomed the move as a vital lifeline for families struggling with rising living costs.
Connie Cole, a mother from Portsmouth, echoed widespread sentiment when she stated that while £45 might not seem like much, it was a "much-needed injection" into household finances. This sentiment was shared by many in the South who have been impacted by the cost of living crisis. The introduction of a £2 cap on bus fares, funded by a re-prioritisation of existing government funds, has also been broadly well-received.
However, not all business leaders are convinced that Mr Burnham's policies go far enough to support struggling businesses. Aidan Lavin, co-owner of the Raven and Bine pub in Southampton, described the 20% cut to business rates for pubs and small live music venues as a "promising start", but expressed concern that it might not be sufficient to counteract rising costs and decreased revenue.
The Prime Minister's decision to establish 'No 10 North', a regional branch of his office in Manchester, has been seen by some as a key move towards decentralisation. Professor Robert Johns from the University of Southampton noted that initial polling suggests Mr Burnham's actions have had a "little bounce", indicating a potentially promising start to his premiership.