Chancellor John Healey said the cut to Britons electricity bills to be funded by cancelling Keir Starmer’s controversial Digital ID programme
Andy Burnham has announced a fresh tax cut to remove VAT from domestic electricity bills from 1 October, the first in what is expected to be a series of policy announcements on Tuesday morning.
Chancellor John Healey said the cut would be funded from cancelling the Digital ID programme. “For too long, too many people have struggled with the cost of living,” he said. “Today’s energy tax cut will give families some breathing room on bills, and provide some reassurance this winter.”
Mr Burnham was still appointing his cabinet late into Monday night, with Angela Rayner returning to government as housing secretary, Healey named as chancellor and Wes Streeting appointed as defence secretary.
Ed Miliband secured a place as foreign secretary and Shabana Mahmood is remaining as home secretary.
Louise Haigh, who managed Mr Burnham’s Makerfield campaign, has been rewarded for her loyalty with a job at the heart of government as first secretary of state and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves, deputy prime minister David Lammy and housing secretary Steve Reed, all allies of Sir Keir Starmer, were sacked by the former mayor of Greater Manchester and have returned to the backbenches.
Chancellor John Healey said the cut would be funded from cancelling the Digital ID programme.
“For too long, too many people have struggled with the cost of living,” he said. “Today’s energy tax cut will give families some breathing room on bills, and provide some reassurance this winter.”
The new premier promised to provide early relief for households struggling with the cost of living as he stood on the steps of No 10 on Monday, pledging to set out the details today.
Andrew Burnham – who took over as prime minister promising a “circuit breaker” for British politics – has started in post with a bang. The new PM conducted a brutal purge of Starmer loyalists, sacking more than nine ministers who had close ties with his predecessor. David Lammy, Darren Jones, Rachel Reeves and Peter Kyle all left the government, while others – including John Healey – had shock promotions.
Here, The Independent looks at the key winners and losers of today’s brutal reshuffle so far.
Andy Burnham has made his inaugural speech as prime minister, giving the nation more detail on his plans and vision for his time in office.
The former Greater Manchester mayor ran uncontested for the position after securing the backing of 349 Labour MPs, making it impossible for anyone to stand against him.
He became Labour leader on Friday, and met with King Charles today to form a government after Sir Keir Starmer formally resigned.
Emma Reynolds has been appointed as chief secretary to the Treasury, while Baroness Smith will remain as lord privy seal and leader of the house of lords.
Alan Campbell will meanwhile remain as Lord president of the council and leader of the house of commons.
Matthew Pennycook will remain as minister of state in the ministry of housing, local communities and government. He will attend cabinet.
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