- New Prime Minister Andy Burnham is facing increasing pressure to explain how he will fund his spending pledges, particularly his intention to address the social care crisis.
- Mr Burnham plans to prioritise fixing England's social care system, which he claims has been neglected by governments for almost three decades, and will make this a focus next week.
- His initial policy announcements include cutting business rates for pubs, clubs, and music venues, removing VAT from energy bills, and capping bus tickets at £2.
- The Conservatives have accused Burnham of making "unfunded promises" and going on a spending spree, demanding clarity on how these will be paid for.
- The Resolution Foundation, an independent think tank, estimates Burnham's recent pledges could cost over £2bn by 2029-30, potentially reducing fiscal headroom to as little as £8bn.
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