Burnham warns there is “no scope” for the government to take on extra borrowing to fund cost-of-living support, citing pressures in the public finances. Reporting on the issue, the Independent says economic analysis from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) indicates the incoming government will face tighter conditions than expected. The assessment points to more persistent inflation, which can increase costs across public services and interest-related pressures, while also limiting fiscal flexibility. In the Belfast Telegraph report, Burnham’s position is presented alongside the view that additional borrowing is unlikely to be feasible if inflation remains higher for longer and if budget constraints tighten. Across the coverage, the central message is that any expansion of cost-of-living measures would face constraints linked to inflation and the broader financial outlook, reducing options for funding through new debt. The reports do not describe specific new funding mechanisms or package sizes, focusing instead on the availability of borrowing and the scale of economic pressures faced by the government.