Ahead of the Autumn Budget, five more ‘everyday fixes’ have been announced in a bid to make life easier for millions of Brits.
Since becoming Prime Minister this summer, Andy Burnham has been rolling out a series of what he’s dubbed ‘everyday fixes’ as the cost of living crisis continues to make itself known nationwide – and now, with the Autumn Budget coming up today (28 October 2026), he has announced five more of these measures.
Unveiled by the Chancellor, the ‘fixes’ will support people with the cost of food, fuel, and family life, all to provide breathing space for households.
The package will tackle costs people face every day – from doing the weekly shop, to supporting people who rely on their cars for work, while extending support to new parents, and fixing an ‘unfair cliff edge’ that can penalise unpaid carers for earning more.
So, what are these ‘everyday fixes’ then? Here’s everything you need to know.
First up, it has been announced that the Government will be making higher tax-free mileage rates permanent, increasing support for millions of nurses, care workers, self employed builders, and others who drive for work along the way.
They will also be extending parental pay to more than 150,000 additional parents per year, including self-employed dads and partners who have previously missed out, which will give those eligible two weeks of support (currently worth up to £194 a week) so they can spend more time with their child.
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The so-called Carer’s Allowance ‘cliff edge’ will also be coming to an end, so unpaid carers no longer lose their entire allowance simply for earning a penny over the Weekly Earnings Limit.
Andy Burnham has announced five more ‘everyday fixes’ to make life easier for Brits / Credit: Number 10 Downing Street | Aldi
Import tariffs will be removed on more than 100 products – including baked beans, chocolate, and gherkins – which, together with the tariff suspensions already introduced, means households could save up to £21 on their food shop each year.
And finally, hundreds more Post Office drop boxes are set to be rolled out in a bid to make it ‘easier’ and ‘more convenient’ for people to send and return parcels without having to queue at a Post Office counter.
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“We are taking on the big challenges facing the country,” explained Prime Minister Andy Burnham, in a statement ahead of the Budget. “But that doesn’t mean losing sight of the everyday problems that cost people money or simply aren’t fair.
“And at Wednesday’s Budget, we’ll go further to give families and businesses the breathing space they need today, while we build a stronger economy, transform our country and bring down cost for people long-term.”
Featured Image – Aldi
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Manchester GPs can now ‘prescribe’ cost of living support to residents
Emily Sergeant
GPs are now able to offer prescription-style support with the cost of living to residents in Manchester.
It’s no secret that the cost of living crisis has, unfortunately, been continuing to make itself known across the country for the past couple of years, and despite recent Government intervention in the form of new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s series of ‘everyday fixes’, it sadly doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon.
But now it’s been revealed that Greater Manchester residents can be ‘prescribed’ cost of living support when they visit their local GP.
For patients who patients need help with bills, debts, benefits, or affording food, GPs can now provide them with details of Manchester’s free cost of living advice line.
That means that, for anyone whose mental or physical health is being affected by financial worries, GPs can simply tear a page that contains all the details they need for the advice line from a block that looks like a prescription pad, and hand it to the patient.
Alternatively, the GP can also ‘refer’ the patient straight into the service online in a similar way to making a referral to a specialist or consultant.
Manchester GPs can now ‘prescribe’ cost of living support to residents / Credit: Towfiqu Barbhuiya | Mylo Kaye (via Unsplash)
Once a resident makes contact with the free cost of living advice line – which started back in October 2022, and has helped thousands of people since – they can receive a wide range of advice on issues like energy costs and rent, to help with getting online, and so much more.
The Council also says that recent figures show there is an increasing number of calls or requests around help with rent or benefits and support with food or foodbanks, which is why it has chosen to introduce this ‘innovate’ move.
“We don’t want anyone to feel like they are becoming lost under competing financial pressures, worries about putting food on the table, or keeping a roof over their heads,” commented Cllr Tracey Rawlins, who is the Deputy Leader at Manchester City Council.
“We really want to help before worries become a problem,” she added. “The team on the advice line keep all information in confidence and they want to help.”
Featured Image – Vitaly Gariev (via Unsplash)
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Teenage boy rushed to hospital after third Manchester Arndale stabbing this month
Daisy Jackson
A teenage boy has been taken to hospital with potentially life-changing injuries after a reported stabbing outside Manchester Arndale.
It’s the third time this month that a knife attack has taken place at the popular shopping centre, in the heart of the city.
Two other teenage boys, aged 16 and 14, have been arrested on suspicion of affray – they remain in custody for questioning.
The teenage boy who was found on Market Street after reports of a stabbing was taken to hospital with injuries that may be life-threatening.
A huge police response was pictured outside Manchester Arndale last night, with a lift outside Rollers Cafe cordoned off.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “Officers responded to reports of a stabbing on Market Street outside the Arndale Centre at 7pm last night (October 27, 2026). A teenage boy was found and taken to hospital with potentially life-changing injuries.
“Two boys, aged 16 and 14, have been arrested on suspicion of affray and remain in custody for questioning. Inquiries are ongoing.”
It’s the third incident involving knives at the Manchester Arndale in the last fortnight.
On 17 October, a 14-year-old boy was taken to hospital with stab wound injuries after an attack in the Manchester Arndale car park.
Two other 14-year-old boys were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.
Then on 24 October, emergency services were called to reports of an assault involving a knife, with two teenagers again arrested.
Emily Sergeant -
28th October 2026 
