'Make life affordable again': The 10 key issues Leeds locals want Andy Burnham to tackle
You’ve had your say 🗣️
Andy Burnham became Britain’s seventh Prime Minister in 10 years on Monday and moved swiftly to settle into the top job.
His official role began with an official audience with the King at Buckingham Palace before delivering his first address as PM outside No 10.
Mr Burnham said he would deliver “a new political model and a new economic model” for Britain as he laid out his priorities for the country.
He suggested that would mean putting “life’s essentials back under stronger public control to make them affordable” and using public spending to back British businesses.
But what do people in Leeds think are the most pressing issues the new Prime Minister should be focusing on?
We asked Yorkshire Evening Post readers for their thoughts, and tens of thousands of you responded - urging Mr Burnham to tackle everything from homelessness and the cost of living to immigration and improvements to public services.
Here are the 10 key issues that you want to see high on his agenda.
Call a general election to secure a public mandate
When we asked our readers about the first action they want to see Mr Burnham take as Prime Minister, the overwhelming response was for him to call a general election.
Peter Arundale said: “For his own credibility, the majority of the voting aged people need to show him that they support him, and he should call a general election based on his clearly explained objectives so we can agree or disagree with his vision.
“I believe if he doesn't, it makes him look weak and lacking in confidence, so he will have no chance getting the support he needs and will be gone sooner rather than later."
Donald Michael said that Burnham should “recall Parliament and lay out and defend his plans”, while Debbie Anne added: “Maybe the first thing Burnham should initiate is amending the Constitution to make any new unelected Prime Minister call a General Election."
John Brown said: "Call for a General Election and allow the people to vote who they want as Prime Minister and [show] their mandate to run the country."
Tackle the cost of living
The Prime Minister’s first major policy announcement is an £850million tax cut on electricity bills.
From October 1, electricity bills will be VAT-free, saving households around £45 per year as part of his promise to help ease cost-of-living pressures.
And our readers believe that tackling the cost of living should be one of Mr Burnham’s top priorities - including Emma Everett and Paul Hiscock.
Mussarat Rahman said: “Reduce the cost of living. Food, rent, bills and travel. Reduce rents including private renting. Reduce bills - make it so consumers are paid instead of bosses. Up the tax threshold. Generally make life affordable again."
Pete Murphy added: "Utility bills (and tax the utility companies), fuel VAT on petrol and diesel should be reduced.”
Immigration and border security
Immigration is another high priority for our readers, with many calling for tougher border controls to reduce pressure on housing and other public services.
Andrew Slater said: “Just tackling the economy won't work - the borders need careful control for security reasons and more importantly to ease the pressure on housing, schools, NHS and welfare."
Kevin Doo added: "Secure all our borders, helps defence and local communities.”
Support pensioners
Many of our readers said pensioners should be among the Government's priorities
Labour came under fire last year for controversial cuts to Winter Fuel Payments, which it later reversed following huge public backlash.
Neal Long said Mr Burnham should “start with the pensioners”, adding: “Once that's resolved make sure all those at the bottom of the chain salary-wise start getting major increases. That is the starting point."
Bob Meek agreed that the Prime Minister should “look after the pensioners”, while John McAvoy called for the state pension to be boosted to £1,200 a month.
“Watch the economy grow,” he added.
Fix housing and homelessness
Mr Burnham has promised to “end rough sleeping” in one of his first policy pledges as Prime Minister, and our readers agreed that tackling homelessness and a shortage of affordable housing were important issues.
Kay Bishop said Mr Burnham should prioritise new social housing, while Henry York and Danny Minaj agreed that homelessness should be high on the agenda.
However, many of our readers were sceptical that the Prime Minister would deliver on his promise.
Berni Gent said: “It’s a complex issue and you have to start with the root causes too. You can’t just chuck money at it and it goes away, it’s deeper than that.”
Andrew Souter added: “The answer is on the streets of Manchester.”
Reform taxation and ease pressure on workers
Many of our readers wanted changes to income tax thresholds or council tax.
Janet Taylor called for the Prime Minister to increase the personal tax allowance, while Janet Taylor wants to see him raise the income tax threshold from £12,570 to £15,000 or £20,000.
Anne Russell said: “Cut council tax - it's like a second mortgage."
Mr Burnham will be constrained by his commitment to follow the rules on spending and borrowing set out by Ms Reeves while she was chancellor and his promise to stick to Labour’s manifesto commitment not to hike personal taxes for workers.
He told reporters this week that he would use “any flexibility” he could find within the existing rules but “none of this is about taking risks with the economy”.
Nationalise essential services
Other Yorkshire Evening Post readers called for utilities to return to public ownership.
And Mr Burnham has already signalled he wants to bring in a 10-year plan to renationalise the water industry, saying reform is needed to put the public interest first.
Kerry Erlandson said she wants to see “water companies back to public ownership, electric and gas back to public ownership... tax the largest corporations... full transparency over donations and lobby groups.”
Robert Craig said the Prime Minister should prioritise “renationalising water, rail, energy and post. Without compensation."
Support businesses and boost the economy
Another pressing issue was more financial support for local businesses.
Leeds restaurateurs have told us of the stark pressures threatening the future of the hospitality sector, with one top chef describing the situation facing independents as “blooming difficult”.
And supporting small businesses was frequently mentioned by our readers, including by Craig Bloomer, who said: “Help the people out who work and lower taxes and help the pubs and restaurants and shops and businesses out."
Robin Bosher called on Mr Burnham to “reduce the tax burden on small businesses”, while Selby pottery studio The Painting Pot added: “Support for small businesses/sole traders. Increase VAT registration threshold... stop the high streets from dying."
Improve public services
Health, transport and policing were other issues high on the agenda for our readers.
Pete Murphy said: “Improve police funding so that they are properly able to reduce low level crime."
TKeeno Mark wants to see better NHS dental services, while Stephen Greig called on Mr Burnham to “sort out the bus networks across the country”. Mary Hill wants to see more funding for tackling pot holes.
Greater honesty, accountability and political reform
An overarching theme among Yorkshire Evening Post readers was for the new Prime Minister - and all politicians - to be more transparent and accountable.
YM Stewart said Mr Burnham should “talk to other parties, and encourage them to work together for the good of the people of this country."
James Honnor said without greater accountability “nothing will ever change”, while Angela Hagan wants Mr Burnham “not lie to us and tell the Nation what's really being planned for us."