Cheaper school uniforms, a return to £2 bus fares and stronger protection against unexpected charges feature in Andy Burnham’s package of “everyday fixes” aimed at easing pressure on household budgets.
The Prime Minister has highlighted the measures in a Facebook post, arguing that smaller changes can add up. For Oxfordshire residents, some are already in place, while others start next year or still require legislation.
“On their own, I know these don’t solve the cost of living. And there’s a lot more I want to do to help,” he wrote.
The post brings together announcements made over several months. Here is what the measures mean, and when households can expect them.
Electricity VAT has been removed for six months
VAT on domestic electricity in Great Britain has been cut from 5% to zero from 1 October 2026 until 31 March 2027. Gas remains subject to 5% VAT.
The Treasury says the change makes the annualised energy price cap around £45 lower than it would otherwise have been for October to December. That is a comparison with bills without the tax cut, rather than a guaranteed £45 payment to every household.
Ofgem’s guidance explains that the reduction is already included in its published electricity rates. Overall bills can still rise because of other energy costs, and what each household pays depends on its usage and tariff.
The £2 bus fare cap returns in January
Eligible single fares on participating bus services in England outside London will be capped at £2 from 1 January to 31 December 2027, replacing the current £3 national cap.
For Oxfordshire passengers whose journeys currently cost £3 under the scheme, that would mean a £1 reduction per eligible single trip. Fares already below £2 will not automatically fall by the same amount.
The Department for Transport’s announcement covers participating services, so passengers should check their operator’s arrangements rather than assume every bus or ticket type is included.
Limits on branded school uniform are already in force
From September 2026, schools covered by the rules in England must generally limit compulsory branded uniform and PE kit to three different items. Secondary and middle schools can require four if one is a tie.
The limit concerns the number of branded items, rather than setting a maximum price for a complete uniform. Parents should check their school’s published policy before buying replacements.
Statutory guidance also says schools should make second-hand uniform available and publish information about obtaining it.
Flight seating and booking-error charges are next
The government plans to require airlines operating in the UK to seat children under 14 with a parent or accompanying adult without an extra charge. Passengers would also get greater flexibility to correct simple name mistakes on bookings free of charge.
These are planned protections. The Department for Transport’s announcement says delivery will follow Royal Assent of the Civil Aviation Bill. It removed an implementation date from the announcement to correct an error, so a firm start date should not be assumed.
Private parking changes include grace periods and fairer appeals
A new private parking code would introduce a minimum five-minute period to consider whether to park, except at pre-booked facilities, and a minimum 10-minute grace period after permitted parking ends, except at designated short-stay sites.
Its appeals rules would require cancellation in specified circumstances, including some emergencies, and reduce charges to £20 on appeal for certain mistakes. This is not a blanket £20 cap on every parking charge.
The government’s implementation timetable says the code is intended to be issued on 30 November 2026, subject to parliamentary scrutiny, and take effect 21 calendar days later. Transitional enforcement arrangements will also apply. These changes concern private parking, rather than council-issued penalty charge notices.
Subscription exits and misleading discounts
New subscription protections are announced for January 2027. They include clearer information before signing up, reminders and easier cancellation, alongside a new cooling-off period after qualifying renewals or trials.
In its August announcement, the government also set out plans to consult on adding misleading discount tactics to a list of automatically banned practices. That includes artificially inflated reference prices used to make a saving look bigger.
The subscription timetable and the proposed pricing changes are separate. The announcement should not be read as confirmation that every measure is already operating.
Protection when hiring builders
The government’s home-improvement announcement sets out support for an Approved Code scheme covering participating businesses’ standards, transparency and dispute resolution. It also describes an option for customers’ money to be held and released as agreed stages of work are completed.
This should not be confused with a guarantee covering every building job. Residents can already use Oxfordshire County Council’s Buy With Confidence directory to find local businesses checked by Trading Standards. That existing local scheme is separate from the new national announcement.
Leasehold fees and longer-term care plans
Ministers have also announced plans for powers to cap certain leasehold permission and administration fees, with consultation on which charges should be covered and at what level. Proposals include independent regulation of property agents. They do not amount to an immediate, across-the-board reduction in service charges.
Burnham’s wider programme includes greater public control of water, energy and housing, alongside a proposed National Care Service. The care service announcement envisages phased introduction in the next Parliament, with free personal care for older people based on need. It is not a new entitlement households can claim now.
