Makerfield delivers verdict on Budget - 'a win for the working class and for Burnham'

They don’t mince their words in Makerfield. And when PM Andy Burnham pledged to make his Wigan constituency ‘a touchstone’ for future policy - a place where all of his national decisions could be judged - he knew voters here would hold him to it. He needn’t have worried. His government’s first Budget seems to have passed the ‘Makerfield Test’ with flying colours, with constituents reacting to Chancellor John Healey’s plans with hearty approval.

With millions of households to receive £100 to help with energy bills, fuel duty frozen again for drivers and help for small businesses announced, the view from the streets of Makerfield were clear. “He’s done good hasn’t he?” was the smiling reaction from pensioner Brenda Holgate. Stay up to date with everything announced in our Budget 2026 live coverage . The 70-year-old retired chef voted for Andy Burnham in June and had been keen to see what this Budget would offer.

She’d hoped to see help for struggling families, for older people and businesses. And she wasn’t disappointed. As she put it: “Yes, he does pass the Makerfield test - how could he not? This helps a lot of people. Andy is one of us. He understands how life is.” Across the room, Sue Hughes 75, Chairperson at the busy Platt Bridge Community Centre described the Budget as ‘a win for the working class’ - and for the PM. “The verdict here is that this is a good Budget for lots of people,” she explains.

“It’s a win for the working class and for people who need the most help. The £100 payment might not sound like much if you’re well off but to those who are struggling or with young families it will make a massive difference. “And the standing charge is a major move. It’s not been fair that you can sit there wearing all the coats you want, being cold, and still pay. “He’s asked people what they want, he’s making major decisions and taking risks and here in Makerfield we’re already seeing a difference.”

In the shopping precinct, mum Georgia Dingsdale, 30, said she was happy to hear how the Budget would help so many. “Look, there’s no magic wand but this sounds like it’s providing support for people who need it - and need it now,” the teaching assistant says. “People kept telling us Andy Burnham was using us as a stepping stone but they’re wrong. He’s here all the time - this shows how he’s working hard for us and the country.” A couple of miles away at the Stubshaw Cross Community and Sports Club - where Andy Burnham held his campaign HQ in the summer - self-employed electrician Martin Knowles, 51, watched the Chancellor roll out new mileage rates, a further hold on fuel rate rises and a hike in the thresholds for small business rate relief.

His verdict? “That’s great that. He can’t attack everything straight away but he seems to be looking at a lot of the things what need addressing first, putting money back in people’s pockets.” The Club’s General Manager, Adam Arstall, 44, also approves. Back in June, he’d seen Andy’s team make some big promises. Today he saw those fine words being translated into meaningful change. “It feels like we’ve gone from being down and having no hope to having a government that’s on our side,” he says.

“The Threshold for Small Business Rate Relief will save us £100 a month straight away. “They’ve talked about passing the Makerfield Test - I think what he’s done so far and today, really does, it stacks up.”