PM urged to deliver ‘meaningful help’ in Budget instead of ‘showboating’

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been challenged to deliver “meaningful help” for struggling families in his Government’s first Budget – rather than “showboating on TikTok and Gogglebox”. Ahead of Wednesday’s Budget, the SNP’s Westminster economy spokesperson Kirsty Blackman demanded action from Mr Burnham to help those facing cost-of-living issues. The SNP MP said: “Good vibes won’t pay the bills this winter – and the reality is many families are thousands of pounds worse off since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister.”

Kirsty Blackman (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA) PA Archive SNP MPs at Westminster are pressing Chancellor John Healey to scrap VAT on petrol and diesel as a temporary measure to help households and businesses during “the fuel price crisis”. The party also highlighted how energy bills, petrol and diesel costs, mortgages, food prices and tuition fees have all risen since Mr Burnham became Prime Minister in July. A series of “everyday fixes” to help people with the cost-of-living crisis is expected to feature in Wednesday’s Budget.

As part of that, the Government is to slash tariffs on a range of popular foods, including chocolate, beans and gherkins, to make them cheaper for shoppers. The tariff cut is also aimed at bringing down the price of fertiliser for farmers, and kerosene for households which use the fuel for heating. Mr Burnham said: “We are taking on the big challenges facing the country but that doesn’t mean losing sight of the everyday problems that cost people money or simply aren’t fair.”

The Prime Minister has announced a series of steps to help people and businesses with living costs since he came to power, including cutting VAT on energy bills this winter. But the Labour leader has pledged his Government will “go further to give families and businesses the breathing space they need” at the Budget. Prime Minister Andy Burnham (right) with Chancellor John Healey, who will deliver the Budget on Wednesday. (Alberto Pezzali/PA) Ms Blackman, however, said the Prime Minister had “wasted his first 100 days” in office, accusing him of “spending more time showboating on TikTok and Gogglebox than delivering meaningful help for hard-pressed families”.

She added: “In the face of a cost-of-living emergency, Andy Burnham has broken his promise to cut bills and is insulting voters with minuscule announcements that won’t scratch the surface. “The fact is every major household bill has risen under Burnham. “He is treating voters like fools by pretending he is delivering ‘breathing space’ when energy bills will soon be £1,000 higher than the Labour Party promised, mortgage rates are up at 6%, and the price of petrol, diesel, food and shopping has gone through the roof on his watch.

“At the UK Budget on Wednesday, the Chancellor must finally deliver meaningful help for the majority of households by cutting energy bills by at least £300 and by removing VAT from petrol and diesel for the remainder of the fuel price crisis. “It could save households in Scotland £500 as prices soar under the Labour Government.” A UK Government spokesperson said: “We know families are feeling the impact of higher prices, pushed up by conflicts overseas.

“The Chancellor is focused on giving households and businesses a bit of breathing space where we can. That’s why we have removed VAT from electricity bills, capped bus fares in England at £2 in 2027, extended the 5p fuel duty cut, and frozen rail fares and prescription charges.” “As has always been the case, decisions on tax are a matter for the Chancellor to set out at fiscal events, rather than routinely commenting on rumour, speculation or proposals.”