Andy Burnham begins premiership with electricity tax cut and new cabinet
Britain’s new prime minister moved on household energy costs and unveiled his first cabinet as he set out an early agenda in office.
Andy Burnham opened his premiership on Tuesday by announcing a cut to the tax on electricity bills and holding his first cabinet meeting in London. The move is aimed at easing pressure on households facing high living costs.
According to reports from several outlets, the government plans to remove the 5% levy from electricity bills and will explain how it intends to fund the change in the coming days. Burnham also said he wants his administration to focus on the cost of living.
He has also set up a new Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, to be led by Louise Haigh, that will oversee the No 10 operation in London, a planned northern counterpart in Manchester and parts of the Cabinet Office, according to the Guardian. The new structure is intended to bring together functions from across government.
Burnham has said he will look at the level at which people start paying income tax, though he has acknowledged that changing it would be difficult. The first days of his government have also included a call with US President Donald Trump and contact with European leaders, as he begins setting out his approach at home and abroad.
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