Andy Burnham will lead his inaugural Cabinet meeting today following a major reorganization that saw several of Keir Starmer’s supporters reassigned to the backbenches.
John Healey, the new Chancellor, will reclaim his position at the top table after resigning as Defence Secretary not long ago. He criticized Rachel Reeves and Starmer, accusing the Treasury of inadequately funding national defense. He now heads the department, while Wes Streeting, who resigned in protest against Starmer’s leadership, resumes his former role.
Ed Miliband will make his debut as Foreign Secretary, with Shabana Mahmood remaining as Home Secretary, having recently proposed significant changes to the asylum system. Yvette Cooper, previously in charge of the Home Office and Foreign Office, now assumes the role of Health Secretary.
Angela Rayner, Louise Haigh, and Lucy Powell are among the returning Cabinet members, alongside new additions such as Anneliese Midgley and Energy Security Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, both aligned with Burnham.
The Prime Minister, who assumed office on Monday, promised the most significant changes in the UK in four decades. He emphasized restoring hope and belief in Britain during his address outside No10.
Notable ministers remaining in their positions include Heidi Alexander as Transport Secretary, Lisa Nandy as Culture Secretary, and Pat McFadden leading the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
This Cabinet meeting marks the first under Labour’s new administration without Rachel Reeves, David Lammy, Peter Kyle, or Liz Kendall. They were removed in one of Burnham’s initial actions as Prime Minister, along with Starmer allies Steve Reed and Lord Richard Hermer.
On his first day, Burnham pledged to address rough sleeping, aiming to eradicate it across the country by instilling the right values in governance.
In an effort to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis, the government announced an £850 million tax cut on energy bills, making energy bills VAT exempt starting October 1, saving households approximately £45. This measure will be partly funded by discontinuing Starmer’s digital ID project, which was projected to cost £600 million annually for three years.
The Prime Minister emphasized providing breathing space for the public by reducing taxes on energy bills and injecting more money into households to revive hope.
Healey expressed that the energy tax cut will offer relief to families struggling with living costs and ease financial burdens during the winter months. This initiative, funded by canceling the digital ID program, aims to combat inflation and support households nationwide.