'Cut our tax bill' - key demands for Andy Burnham as new PM

Cutting fuel duty, increasing maternity pay, slashing stamp duty and reducing taxes - those were just some of the suggestions people in Worcester have for Andy Burnham after he promised to tackle the cost of living.

The new prime minister was sworn in on Monday and announced a series of measures to help working people in his "new economic plan" for the country.

Those people I spoke to in Worcester had their own ideas on what he should address first - and if the cost of living should be his main priority.

Rich Collins, a dad-of-one who works in building design, said: "I've got a baby - we are juggling nursery fees and housing costs - there's a lot of bills and a lot of outgoings for young families these days.

"Anything he can do for parents, I'd be a big fan of.

"How about lowering stamp duty? When you're moving house that's a big cost - that's something he should look at."

Noises from the Burnham camp seem to support changes to property taxes like stamp duty.

Jess Bayliss, a mum-of-one, has a five-month old baby and works in a nursery.

"I don't really know much about Andy Burnham, I've only seen bits of him on the TV - but I can tell him the cost of living crisis is awful at the moment," she said.

"Everything is so expensive. Baby formula is ridiculously priced, and maternity pay covers next to nothing - if he can look at that, that would be fabulous."

Marvin Kelly, a pensioner, said: "It's hard - we do a lot of driving around looking after our two granddaughters, so I see the fuel prices going up, for example.

"If I would ask anything of Andy Burnham, purely looking at the cost of living, I'd say look at petrol - you'd help people keep more money in their pockets which they could spend within the economy, if it wasn't going on fuel."

Pauline Roberts, a teacher, added: "Wages aren't going up to match the prices. If he [Andy Burnham] intends to look at the cost of living, it would be welcome.

"We've heard from other politicians though, so I hope he means it. If taxes were a bit lower it would help.

"Also why not look at energy bills? The last few winters have been horrendous."

In his first announcement as prime minister, Burnham, stood outside Downing Street, said he would "end rough sleeping".

A No 10 press release was released after his speech, promising an extra £340m for the task over the next five years.

The former Manchester mayor also promised a new 10-year plan for Britain - to be unveiled later this year - and to build a new economy, putting "life's essentials back under public control".

He said announcements on tackling the cost of living would start on Tuesday.

Other changes he promised included changing the education system to help young people into work, building more council homes, and honouring commitments to fund defence while sticking to the UK's spending and debt rules.

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