Burnham tells cabinet to focus on cost-of-living relief
8 reported2 unconfirmed
Andy Burnham held his first cabinet meeting as prime minister, urging ministers to examine "all possible ways" to ease cost-of-living pressures on families. He described the government as a "cost-of-living government" and said the cabinet should think daily about reducing household burdens. A Conservative bid to debate Burnham's policy agenda in the House of Lords was blocked by a vote of 173 to 234. Downing Street confirmed that a plan to cut VAT from electricity bills is fully funded, with the cost covered by cancelling the digital ID programme. The new chancellor, John Healey, listed fiscal discipline and cost-of-living as priorities. Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage criticized the VAT cut as insufficient and called for a general election, claiming his party is "getting under the skin" of Burnham. The article also notes that Jordan Bardella, president of France's National Rally, is set to speak at Reform UK's annual conference.
What’s reported
Burnham told his first cabinet to examine "all possible ways" to reduce cost-of-living pressures.
He said the government needed to be a "cost-of-living government."
A Conservative motion to debate Burnham's agenda in the House of Lords was rejected 173-234.
Downing Street said the VAT cut on electricity bills is fully funded and will take effect October 1.
The £1.8 billion cost of the digital ID scheme over three years will be redirected to fund the VAT cut.
New chancellor John Healey listed five priorities: fiscal discipline, growth, backing Britain in procurement, wealth creation, and cost of living.
Nigel Farage claimed Reform UK is "getting under the skin" of Burnham and called for a general election.
Jordan Bardella of France's National Rally will speak at Reform UK's annual conference.
Open questions
Whether Burnham will remove controversial jury trial reforms from the Courts and Tribunals Bill.
Which specific policies will be announced in the coming days to address cost-of-living pressures.
Key figures
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister
John Healey, Chancellor of the Exchequer
Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader
Jordan Bardella, president of France's National Rally
Baroness Smith of Basildon, Leader of the House of Lords
Alex Norris, Justice Secretary
Nick Timothy, Shadow Justice Secretary
Chris O'Shea, group chief executive of Centrica (British Gas owner)
Ed Miliband, Foreign Secretary
Andrii Sybiha, acting minister of foreign affairs of Ukraine
Sources: The Guardian
