Martin Lewis Advises PM Andy Burnham on Cost of Living Measures

Martin Lewis, founder of Money Saving Expert, has publicly advised new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham on tackling the cost of living crisis. Lewis outlined three priority areas: first, the ongoing cost of living pressures despite falling inflation, noting that the VAT cut on electricity bills is a 'totem of help' but insufficient. He called for further energy bill reductions, banning mid-contract price hikes on mobile and broadband, and addressing water bill increases and high housing costs. Second, Lewis highlighted intergenerational problems, particularly for young people facing a tough job market with vacancies halved since 2022 and AI threats. He criticized the government's freeze on the Plan 2 student loan repayment threshold, calling it a 'breach of the original promise' that forces graduates to pay more as earnings rise. The article also notes Burnham's government has cut VAT from electricity bills and may cap bus fares at £2.