By Harry Mottram: It is early days for the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s Government but his announcements this week have been welcomed by many. His first actions were to call world leaders to give reassurance of the UK’s foreign policies, then to appoint his cabinet and thirdly – visit Bath. He was met by the Metro Mayor Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England who welcomed him as he announced a £2 cap on bus fares from next year.
Mayor Godwin said: “It was brilliant to welcome our new Prime Minister to Bath so early in his premiership, and to show off some of our new green buses. It was even better to hear that the £2 bus fare cap will be reintroduced for adult journeys! This is really welcome news for passengers across the West Country, building on money-saving initiatives like Kids Go Free – which is rolling out nationally this August following our successful regional pilot over the last year.”
Mr Burnham has also announced cuts to VAT on electricity bills and VAT for pubs and restaurants from next April.
The BBC reported that the CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association Emma McClarkin had welcomed the plans saying pubs have paid disproportionately higher business rates for “years and years.”
She said the trade association had worked with Burnham’s team before his election as Labour leader, adding that they want to work with the government on permanent reform to business rates.
These announcements will be welcomed by many as Britain waits to see what else the new PM is planning. In the past he has suggested the main utilities should be under ‘public control’ – meaning that some could be nationalised while others restricted in terms of ownership and profit shares. Thames Water is £20bn in debt and cannot realistically repay what it owes and has been the subject of a debate about a special form of public ownership. Help for small businesses in the way business rates are charged, especially in traditional high streets is another plank in Burnham’s plans along with taxing those with high salaries and vast assets to a higher degree.
Andy Burnham said: “Lower fares will help people get to where they need to – giving them breathing space to help with the cost of living.”
Whatever the views of his critics are – and Kemi Badenoch has already called for his plans to be discussed in parliament first and has called for an election – many in the city will be pleased the new PM visited Bath first – rather than Manchester.
Bath Voice and Local Democracy Reporters
The journalists are funded by the BBC as part of its latest Charter commitment, but are employed by regional news organisations. A total of 165 reporters are allocated to news organisations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland including Bath Voice. These organisations range from television and radio stations to online media companies and established regional newspaper groups. Local Democracy Reporters cover top-tier local authorities, second-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
Bath Voice Monthly Newspaper is distributed free to thousands of homes and some supermarkets – distributed from the first of the month. Harry Mottram is the News Editor
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