Andy Burnham Announces Free Child Bus Travel and Fare Cuts

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a series of cost-of-living initiatives aimed at reducing household expenses. As part of the Great British Summer Savings Scheme, the government will scrap the £2 bus charge for children aged five to 15 across England from August 1 to 31, 2026. To further support commuters, Burnham plans to reintroduce a £2 cap on single adult bus fares, reversing a January 2025 decision by the Labour administration that had increased the cap to £3. In the interim, the current £3 adult cap is extended until March 2027.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander supported these measures, noting that the Treasury has secured funding for the children's travel initiative. The government also committed £3 billion to improve national bus services. These steps align with Burnham's objective to lead a cost-of-living government, which includes a plan to make electricity bills VAT-free starting October 1, saving households approximately £45 per year.

In separate diplomatic developments, Burnham held his first phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump. The leaders discussed the Fifa World Cup and the security of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz to protect global supply chains.