Andy Burnham confirms £250 cost of living payments under his premiership

NewsCost Of LivingAndy BurnhamThe government has promised hundreds of thousands of homes08:08, 12 Aug 2026Households near new pylons are to get £250 taken off their annual energy bills under Labour Party Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The handouts come as the UK government prepares to push ahead with more than 40 grid upgrade projects across the country.‌The government has promised hundreds of thousands of homes living within 500 metres of new grid infrastructure under the scheme. It works out at £250 a year and has been branded one of the biggest grid upgrade drives since the 1960s.‌Neil Lawrence, Ofgem executive director for delivery and schemes, said: “Communities that host new electricity transmission infrastructure are playing a vital role in delivering the cleaner, more secure energy s