Burnham holds first cabinet meeting after announcing VAT cut on electricity bills
7 reported
Andy Burnham has held his first cabinet meeting as prime minister after announcing an £850 million tax cut on electricity bills. The new cabinet includes a record number of women, with 12 of 23 full members being women, up from 10 in Keir Starmer’s final cabinet. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage criticized Burnham for arriving in No 10 without a mandate, calling for a general election. Analysis by the Sutton Trust shows the proportion of state-school educated ministers in the cabinet has fallen to 72%, while 55% attended Oxford or Cambridge. The appointment of Chris Bryant as Northern Ireland secretary surprised regional parties, who had expected Hilary Benn to remain. The BMA has warned new health secretary Yvette Cooper that doctors may strike unless pay is improved.
What’s reported
Burnham announced an £850 million tax cut on electricity bills.
The new cabinet has 12 women and 11 men, a record number of women.
Sutton Trust analysis shows 72% of the cabinet attended state comprehensives, 24% private schools.
55% of Burnham’s cabinet attended Oxford or Cambridge, up from 38% in Starmer’s cabinet.
41% of ministers were educated in the North, compared to 19% under Sunak and 31% under Starmer.
Burnham dismissed the prospect of further referendums in calls with devolved leaders.
The BMA warned that consultants have a mandate to strike unless pay is improved.
Key figures
Andy Burnham, prime minister
Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader
Kemi Badenoch, Conservative party leader
Zack Polanski, Green party leader
Chris Bryant, Northern Ireland secretary
Yvette Cooper, health secretary
Dr Emma Runswick, BMA council deputy chair
Hilary Benn, former Northern Ireland secretary
Sources: The Guardian
