Andy Burnham vowed to help cost of living but is being blown off course – two issues he MUST consider to win voters

3 comments 3 Next WHEN Andy Burnham entered No10, he vowed to lead a government laser-focused on easing the cost of living. It was an obvious priority for the PM as polls consistently show that one of voters’ most pressing concerns is making ends meet. Andy Burnham vowed to lead a cost of living government Credit: Reuters However this aim is being constantly blown off course by international events, chiefly the war in Iran choking trade routes and pushing up the cost of energy . Advertisement What can Burnham really do to help families beat the squeeze? Two very different suggestions are covered today in The Sun. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. The first is to scrap nanny-state plans to ban supermarkets offering multi-buy deals on staple foods like cornflakes, porridge and yoghurts. A proposal inherited from Sir Keir Starmer will see officials drastically tighten the definition of “less healthy” to snare a raft of products most people would regard as nutritious. READ MORE ON POLITICS NET ZERO REVOLT Andy Burnham faces Labour revolt over North Sea drilling ban and Net Zero BAN FLAKES Labour plans fresh supermarket deals ban that could hike prices by up to 65% This would stop supermarkets offering two-for-one deals on such items and therefore push up the cost of the weekly shop. When I approached the government last night, it said changes would be made to tackle rising obesity rates. But axing this policy could be a tap-in for a PM hunting around for free ways to bear down on costs. A second helpful intervention today comes from two Labour MPs, who are demanding Burnham does more drilling in the North Sea. Most read in The Sun CHILDHOOD OF LIES Shocking family secrets Rachel Watkyn overcame to become box millionaire CRASH HORROR MP in critical condition after being hit by car in 'targeted attack' SEA TRAGEDY Baby among six dead after migrant boat crashes into coastguard off Greek island DEATH PROBE Dogwalker finds dead body 'slumped' over fence post as police launch probe The PM has stuck with Starmer’s ban on any more oil and gas licences being issued, but backbenchers Henry Tufnell and Steve Yemm want this moratorium lifted. Advertisement They say that drilling would secure the future of British energy, while also safeguarding industrial towns and cities whose jobs rely on the sector. But on the other side, Burnham is being pulled by his eco-crusading Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband to go hell for leather on Net Zero. He is also trying to woo back disaffected Greens who would take a dim view on more North Sea drilling. But voting is so often driven on whether people feel with the pound in their pocket. As the Budget fast approaches, Burnham will quickly discover that for most Brits – it’s the economy, stupid. Advertisement 3 comments 3