Labour MP Miatta Fahnbulleh, a key policy adviser to Andy Burnham, has stated that the expected next prime minister will prioritize addressing the cost of living in the short term. In an interview with the BBC, Fahnbulleh predicted that people "at the bottom" would see more money in their pockets under a Burnham government.
"Everyone recognises that people are under pressure, living standards have not risen and we have to grip that," she said on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg. "And that means dealing with the cost of living in the short term to give people some respite."
Fahnbulleh, who served as a junior minister for communities before resigning after Labour's poor local election results, has been drafting policy proposals for Burnham's transition to power. Burnham is expected to be declared Labour leader next week and become prime minister on 20 July, after securing nominations from the vast majority of Labour MPs.
In a recent LBC interview, Burnham acknowledged the need to "put more money back into people's pockets" and hinted at possible tax adjustments, including reducing business rates for high street shops. Reports suggest he may unveil a cost-of-living support package within his first weeks in office.
Fahnbulleh emphasized that essentials like housing, energy, and transport remain too expensive and require "public control" to become more affordable. Burnham has advocated for greater public oversight of water and energy sectors, similar to the franchise bus network he implemented as mayor of Greater Manchester.
Conservative shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride criticized Burnham's approach, arguing he would lean into higher taxes and inherit a Labour backbench unable to tackle welfare costs. "The markets feel things could get even worse under Andy Burnham," Stride warned.
Fahnbulleh declined to specify policies but affirmed her expectation that Burnham would put money in people's pockets. "We understand that people are under pressure," she said. "And we do need to find ways to give people respite."