Andy Burnham, in his inaugural day as Prime Minister, chaired his first Cabinet meeting and directed his ministers to explore all available options to assist families facing financial challenges. One of his initial actions as Prime Minister was to eliminate VAT on electricity bills, aiming to reduce the average bill by £45.
During the meeting, Burnham emphasized the importance of addressing cost-of-living pressures and urged his colleagues to contribute ideas on how their departments could alleviate these burdens. He reiterated the government’s commitment to lowering the cost of living through various means.
Following through on his promise to provide relief to struggling households, Burnham announced the removal of VAT from domestic electricity bills starting October 1. He highlighted the need for government to prioritize people’s needs and expressed his determination to make a tangible impact on citizens’ lives.
In a series of new ministerial appointments, Burnham appointed Dan Jarvis as security minister and James Murray as Treasury minister. Additionally, Burnham received an early endorsement from Mr. Trump, who expressed confidence in the new Prime Minister’s ability to lead and pledged U.S. support.
The interactions between Burnham and Trump were described as positive, with Trump acknowledging the challenges ahead for Burnham but expressing optimism about his capabilities. Trump assured that the U.S. would stand ready to assist the new Prime Minister in his endeavors.