Ministers have started spilling into Downing Street ahead of Andy Burnham’s first cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Education secretary Lucy Powell and energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh arrived first, followed by defence secretary Wes Streeting and Northern Ireland secretary Chris Bryant.
Angela Rayner, who was reappointed as housing secretary, has also been spotted.
It comes amid backlash over the new prime minister’s plans to remove VAT from household electricity bills.
Mr Burnham announced a fresh tax cut to remove VAT from domestic electricity bills from 1 October in the first of 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. But former Cabinet minister and Starmer loyalist Darren Jones slammed the plans for being “unfunded” and called for Mr Burnham to explain his financing for the move.
He wrote on X: “Good news that VAT will be cut on electricity bills. It’s a simple way for families to save a few quid, and to mechanically help to keep inflation that little bit lower.
“But the DigitalID program was unfunded. The government will have to set out how it will pay for its new policies at the budget.”
Key Points
- Ministers arrive at No 10 for first Burnham Cabinet meeting
- Burnham cuts VAT on electricity bills in first major policy announcement
- Sacked Cabinet minister disputes funding claims for Burnham’s first major policy
- White House 'deeply concerned' about Miliband's appointment, reports suggest
- Trump breaks silence on 'interesting' conversation with Andy Burnham
- Wes Streeting to be defence secretary
Miliband arrives for first cabinet meeting as foreign secretary
12:29 , Harriette Boucher
Cooper and McFadden arrive for first cabinet meeting
12:28 , Harriette Boucher
Leader of the Commons Sir Alan Campbell has arrived at No 10 shortly before Emma Reynolds.
Hamish Falconer, the minister for intergovernmental relations and Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, were the next to arrive, followed by Ellie Reeves, the new Attorney General.
Shortly after Yvette Cooper, the new health secretary arrived, smiling and telling reporters “good afternoon”.
Pat McFadden, the work and pensions secretary was next to arrive, also ignoring the question “has the chancellor got his numbers wrong?” from journalists.
More ministers enter Downing Street
12:25 , Harriette Boucher
Several more ministers have been seen entering Downing Street for Andy Burnham’s first cabinet meeting.
Chief whip Anneliese Midgley was seen, along with Dame Angela Eagle, the new Environmental Secretary.
Jonathan Reynolds, the business and trade Secretary arrived with AI Minister Kanishka Narayan and Justice secretary Alex Norris.
The new chancellor John Healey was next to arrive, he too ignored questions about how he would fund the removal of VAT from electricity bills.
Bridget Phillipson, who was swapped from education secretary to equalities minister was next to arrive.
Ministers ignore questions electricity bills VAT cut
12:17 , Harriette Boucher
Ministers arriving at Downing Street for a cabinet meeting have ignored questions from journalists regarding the electricity bills VAT cuts.
Lucy Powell and Miatta Fahnbulleh arrived first and Wes Streeting and Chris Bryant followed together.
Angela Rayner then arrived ahead of the 12.30pm meeting.
Rayner heads to Burnham's first cabinet meeting after being reappointed
12:13 , Harriette Boucher
Energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh arrives at No 10
12:12 , Harriette Boucher
Lucy Powell and Matthew Pennycook arrive for first cabinet meeting
12:11 , Harriette Boucher
Ministers arrive at No 10 for first Burnham Cabinet meeting
12:10 , Political Journalist Athena Stavrou
Andy Burnham’s newly appointed top team have started to arrive in Downing Street ahead of the first Cabinet meeting of his government.
Lucy Powell gave a thumbs up as she entered No 10 when asked if she was pleased to be education secretary.
Other arrivals included defence secretary Wes Streeting and housing minister Angela Rayner, who have both returned to government after resigning under Sir Keir Starmer.
Healey leaves privy council meeting
12:08 , Harriette Boucher
Charities welcome Burnham’s vow to end rough sleeping but warn he cannot ignore ‘hidden homelessness’ crisis
12:03 , Harriette Boucher
Fin Gray writes:
Homelessness charities have welcomed Andy Burnham’s vow to end rough sleeping but warned that the new prime minister cannot afford to ignore the growing ‘hidden homelessness’ crisis in the UK.
Speaking outside Downing Street for the first time as prime minister, Andy Burnham said that his first instruction to his government would be to “end rough sleeping” and that he will put “the care of people at the heart of everything I do.”
The prime minister added: “For too long, we’ve been told that ending rough sleeping will take decades or even that it’s impossible. I’m not having that. This is something a government can fix if it chooses to.
“We’ll get to work immediately, bringing together national and local government with the investment needed to get it done.”
The latest annual national statistics, published in February, showed an estimated 4,793 people were sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2025 in England, a new record high, marking the fourth annual increase in a row.
Homelessness charities welcome Burnham’s vow to end rough sleeping
Defence shares get £4bn boost after John Healey confirmed as chancellor
11:45 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Britain's biggest defence companies have seen a £4bn boost to their value since the surprise appointment of John Healey as chancellor.
Investors appeared to have concluded that the former defence secretary, who quit Sir Keir Starmer’s government claiming ministers had failed to provide enough money to keep Britain safe, is likely to increase military spending in Andy Burnham's government.
London's defence sector outperformed the wider European market as traders welcomed Mr Burnham's decision to appoint him to the Treasury, seeing it as a signal that the new government could loosen the purse strings to bolster Britain's armed forces.
You can read more below:
Defence shares get £4bn boost after John Healey confirmed as chancellor
Watch: Starmer says goodbye to No 10 with bizarre TikTok montage
11:30 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Burnham set to slash business rates for hospitality, reports suggest
11:21 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Andy Burnham will slash business rates for the hospitality by 20 per cent within days, reports suggest.
The new prime minister, who worked closely with Manchester’s former nighttime economy tsar Sacha Lord while in his former role, is expected to make the move to ease pressure on hospitality businesses, HuffPostUK reports.
It comes as Mr Burnham unveils a policy blitz during his first few days in office.
Andy Burnham’s in-tray: All the pressing issues the new PM will face, from taxes to Trump
11:15 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
With Andy Burnham finally in No 10, the prime minister will have no shortage of issues to tackle.
During his campaign trail and since returning to parliament, the new Labour leader has delivered several speeches laying out his policy intentions.
In his first speech as prime minister, Mr Burnham promised to give people “breathing room” against the rising cost of living and urge the country to be honest about the challenges it faces and call for “reflection and resolution”.
However, a lot of the challenges that Sir Keir Starmer faced during his premiership remain unresolved, and Mr Burnham will have to address them during his first few days in office.
Here are some of the key issues the former Manchester mayor will face:
Andy Burnham’s in-tray: The pressing issues the new PM will face, from taxes to Trump
Analysis: Wes Streeting’s lack of military experience as defence secretary is normal
11:05 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
There is a lot of criticism of Andy Burnham for replacing Dan Jarvis with Wes Streeting as defence secretary because of their different backgrounds.
Mr Jarvis had a distinguished military career as a commander of the Paratroopers while Mr Streeting was a student politician and then a professional politician. But is it wrong to have a defence secretary with no military experience?
The truth is that Mr Jarvis was an exception not the rule. Since 1964 only he, Ben Wallace, Denis Healey and Lord Carrington have been defence secretaries having previously served in the military. Penny Mordaunt was a Royal Navy reservist.
A long list of others including John Healey, Grant Shapps, Philip Hammond, Michael Fallon, Liam Fox and many others did not have military backgrounds.
This is even less surprising when you look at other departments. There has never been a health secretary who was a doctor apart from the very first health minister in 1921 Christopher Addison.
Only two education secretaries were previously teachers - Estelle Morris and Gillian Shepherd. David Blunkett was a college lecturer.
The new justice secretary Alex Norris is not a lawyer, just like Brandon Lewis, Liz Truss, Michael Gove, David Lidington, Chris Grayling and Ken Clarke.
Jonathan Reynolds is back as business secretary with no previous experience running an actual business. You have to go back to Grant Shapps for any business experience and again he was the exception not the rule.
In the end being an effective minister is about being good at politics and administration, prior experience may be helpful but is certainly not a requirement.
Wealth tax could raise £10bn a year, academics tell Andy Burnham
10:55 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
A tax on Britain’s super-wealthy could raise £10 billion a year, according to academics who have called on Andy Burnham to “make tax fairer”.
Economic experts have claimed a 2 per cent charge on households with more than £100m in assets would raise a vast amount and affect less than 1,000 of the wealthiest households in the UK.
Authors of the report, professor of economics at the Paris School of Economics Gabriel Zucman and lecturer in economics and wealth inequality at King’s College London Ben Tippet, said the tax would “raise meaningful revenues and dampen runaway inequality”.
You can read more below:
Wealth tax could raise £10bn a year, academics tell Andy Burnham
White House 'deeply concerned' about Miliband's appointment, reports suggest
10:44 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The White House is “deeply concerned” about Ed Miliband’s appointment as foreign secretary and warned the new prime minister against the change, it has been reported.
Donald Trump’s cabinet reportedly told Mr Burnham they would find it difficult to work with him in any international-facing role.
Mr Miliband supports a number of green energy projects that are not favoured by Mr Trump, according to The Telegraph.
He has been reluctant to drill the North Sea, something the president strongly supports.
Recap: Burnham invites Trump to Manchester for G20 hours after becoming prime minister
10:35 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Andy Burnham is expected to meet with Donald Trump in Manchester next year for the G20 Summit, it has emerged, after the pair spoke for the first time just minutes after the new prime minister entered No 10.
Mr Burnham reportedly extended the invite to the US president in one of his first calls since entering Downing Street.
While White House sources offered no details of the phone call, new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea is understood to also have been discussed.
You can read more below:
Andy Burnham invites Trump to Manchester hours after entering No 10
Burnham tells devolved nation heads he is 'focused on practical measures'
10:20 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Andy Burnham has told the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland he is “focused on practical measures, not constitutional changes like further referendums”.
A Downing Street spokesperson said Mr Burnham on Tuesday had calls with Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, and Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.
The spokesperson added: “The prime minister said he was serious about creating a new politics – rooted in finding common ground based on collaborative, practical and pragmatic relations with the heads of the devolved governments.
“Working in partnership, the prime minister said together they could drive deeper devolution to all parts of the United Kingdom to get growth going.
“The prime minister added he was focused on practical measures, not constitutional changes like further referendums, to give families more breathing room by helping them with the cost of living, which he had done today by helping millions of households with their energy bills.”
Comment: Andy Burnham is the first truly Gen X prime minister – here’s why that matters
10:15 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
His dad’s got dementia; his daughter has just graduated into a debt-laden landscape where there are few jobs. Eleanor Mills, who started out her career alongside Andy Burnham and is the same age, says, here is a man who knows the pain of a generation and has what it takes to do something about it.
Andy Burnham is the first truly Gen X prime minister – here’s why that matters
Burnham Cabinet sees record number of women appointed
10:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Andy Burnham has appointed a record number of women to the Cabinet, with the number of females outnumbering males for the first time.
Of the 23 full members of the Cabinet, including the prime minister, 12 are women and 11 are men.
This is up from 10 women and 13 men in Sir Keir Starmer’s final Cabinet.
The previous record was 11 women out of 22 full members, set by Sir Keir’s first Cabinet in July 2024.
Of the 28 ministers eligible to attend Mr Burnham’s Cabinet – 23 full members and five others – 50 per cent (14) are women.
This surpasses the previous record of 48 per cent of all attendees in Sir Keir’s first Cabinet.
Who are the key winners and losers of Andy Burnham’s reshuffle?
09:51 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The prime minister has conducted a brutal purge of Starmer loyalists and made some shock appointments to key government roles. Here, The Independent looks at the main winners and losers of Andy Burnham’s reshuffle.
Who are the key winners and losers of Andy Burnham’s reshuffle?
What does Burnham’s VAT cut mean for your energy bills?
09:30 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Andy Burnham has scrapped VAT on household electricity bills from October in his first major measure to tackle the cost of living crisis since becoming prime minister.
The government said the cut will save the typical household £45 a year from 1 October by cutting VAT on domestic electricity from five per cent to zero.
Unveiling the policy on his first full day in office, Mr Burnham said the tax cut would give families “breathing space” after years of pressure from rising living costs.
But what does this mean for your energy bills? We take a look below:
What does Burnham’s VAT cut mean for your energy bills?
Former British Army head calls Streeting appointment 'disappointing'
09:20 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
A former British Army head has said he is “disappointed” that Wes Streeting has been made defence secretary.
Lord Dannatt told Times Radio: “A new defence secretary has a lot to learn, the defence portfolio is one of the more complicated ones in government and as far as I’m aware Wes Streeting has got no background in defence, no background in the military.
“So he’s going to have to do an awful lot of listening and learning over the next few days and weeks before he can start to make a contribution.”
He added there are other people who have more experience in defence, naming Dan Jarvis, who recently took over from John Healey.
“But if Wes Streeting is prepared to listen, to learn, then there’s no reason why, over time, he can’t be an effective defence secretary – but he’s got to remember that the man in Number 11 actually knows the stuff about defence, and there’s no point trying to pull the wool over his eyes.”
The true cost of Burnham’s tax unfreeze - for taxpayers and the Treasury
09:10 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Andy Burnham assumed his role as prime minister on Monday and one of his top priorities is tackling the cost of living crisis.
Keir Starmer’s replacement told The Times he wanted to bring a “tangible” improvement to households, saying “the thing I heard the most on the doorsteps” when canvassing voters in Makerfield was the tax-free personal allowance threshold. While that’s not yet a confirmed policy, it’s clearly one of the options on the table after the new prime minister also removed VAT from household electricity bills.
The personal allowance - the amount of income a person can receive annually before starting to pay tax on earnings - has been frozen at £12,570 for five years. Tax band thresholds have similarly been stuck at the same level rather than rising as wages grow larger.
By the process called fiscal drag, that has meant more people being pulled into either paying tax for the first time or paying a higher tax bracket, as wages naturally rise along with inflation.
But if Mr Burnham was to lift the personal allowance, it would give a small amount of breathing space to basic rate taxpayers in particular.
The Independent’s business and money editor Karl Matchett takes a look below:
The true cost of Burnham’s tax unfreeze - for taxpayers and the Treasury
Healey appointment makes him 'poacher turned gamekeeper' over defence row, former British Army head says
09:04 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
A former British Army head has said appointing John Healey to Chancellor is “a masterstroke” and makes him “poacher turned gamekeeper”.
Lord Dannatt told Times Radio: “John Healey, as we all know, resigned not that long ago, having said that the previous prime minister was unable to produce the funding that defence needed – and the previous chancellor was unwilling – so now he is the one behind the desk in Number 11, and has really got to answer his own question.
“Now, it won’t be an easy question to answer, but there’s no one that knows better than John Healey just what defence needs, and I think he’ll give it his best shot possible to try and find the money that he knows the nation needs to keep this country safe, and that we play our collective part in the collective security of Europe.
“So in a sense it’s very much a poacher turned gamekeeper, and physician heal thyself.”
He also said it is “not entirely by happenstance” that a Russian warship carried out a live fire artillery exercise off Plymouth on Monday, the same day the UK got a new prime minister.
“This is an indication from the Kremlin that ‘we’re here and we’re powerful, we’re strong, and what are you going to do about it?’ So it’s a challenge.”
Minister defends unfunded VAT cut on energy bills
09:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
A government minister has been forced to defend the sums behind Andy Burnham’s first major economic policy, after one of his sacked colleagues claimed it was unfunded.
Former chief secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones said on Tuesday morning that the Digital ID programme, which Burnham has cancelled in order to pay for his VAT cut on energy bills, is in fact unfunded.
But newly appointed business secretary Jonathan Reynolds still insisted the move would remove a fiscal “pressure” from the government, allowing it to carry out the reforms.
“The allocation for digital ID was £1.8 billion over three years. That is scored by the OBR, so it's in the scorecard,” he told BBC Radio 4. “It's a pressure that is within the system that is being removed in order to make this decision on reducing energy bills for people. So it's a straightforward release of one pressure in order to have this decision made.”
Arguing that the money for Digital ID “would have to have been found”, he added: “They are part of the scorecard. They are part of the government's pressure. It is a legitimate decision to remove that pressure and instead use the allocation of resources.”
VAT cut 'good' first step but people 'won't feel much benefit', Martin Lewis says
08:50 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Money saving expert Martin Lewis has said the government’s announcement it will cut VAT from electricity bills is a “good” first step but that “in practice people won't feel much benefit”.
In a post on X, he said the energy price cap rise on 1 October is likely to mean any savings made are quickly eaten up.
“Ultimately though it does mean people will pay less than they would've done without this,” he wrote. “Yet it is going to need a lot more policy cost reductions, likely at the budget, for things to feel materially cheaper.”
Shadow defence secretary says new policies have 'got to last more than a few minutes' of scrutiny
08:40 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge has said new policies have “got to last more than a few minutes” of scrutiny, during a discussion on the Prime Minister’s announcement that new VAT cuts will be partly funded by scrapping Sir Keir Starmer’s digital ID project.
Mr Cartlidge’s comments came after former chief secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones posted on X that it is “good news that VAT will be cut on electricity bills” but “the DigitalID program was unfunded”.
The shadow defence secretary told Times Radio that the OBR (Office for Budget Responsibility) also said last year that the digital ID card scheme has not been funded.
He said: “They (the OBR) literally said that, so you can’t fund a tax cut with… with savings from a programme that itself wasn’t funded.
“So you know, big question here, backed up by someone who – as you can rightly say – was only recently was in the heart of government under Labour – so it’s a fairly extraordinary position… I certainly agree with the new prime minister that cost of living is a big issue, I think we all agree with that, it’s still the number one thing that comes up on the doorstep with my constituents.
“But if you’re going to have policies to deal with it, they’ve got to last more than a few minutes in terms of scrutiny, to be honest.”
Sacked Cabinet minister disputes funding claims for Burnham’s first major policy
08:30 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
A Starmer loyalist who was sacked from a senior Cabinet role by Andy Burnham has disputed the new prime minister’s funding claims underpinning his first major policy.
The Burnham government have said a fresh tax cut to remove VAT from domestic electricity bills would be funded from cancelling the Digital ID programme.
But shortly after the policy was announced, former Chief Secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones publicly claimed the policy was not funded.
He wrote on X: “Good news that VAT will be cut on electricity bills. It’s a simple way for families to save a few quid, and to mechanically help to keep inflation that little bit lower.
“But the DigitalID program was unfunded. The government will have to set out how it will pay for its new policies at the budget.”
He now becomes the first Labour backbencher to publicly criticise the Burnham government, something the former mayor may have to get used to.
Good news that VAT will be cut on electricity bills. It’s a simple way for families to save a few quid, and to mechanically help to keep inflation that little bit lower.
— Darren Jones MP (@darrenpjones) July 21, 2026
But the DigitalID program was unfunded.
The government will have to set out how it will pay for its new… https://t.co/3iqrTFf1Nv
US politics are ‘robust’ and Miliband’s appointment won’t be an issue, minister says
08:25 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
A government minister has insisted Ed Miliband’s appointment as foreign secretary won’t negatively impact Britain’s relationship with the US, despite having vocally criticised Donald Trump in the past.
Mr Miliband, who will have to work closely with the US administration, previously called the US president a “racist, misogynistic, self-confessed groper”.
But asked if this could be an issue in his new role, business secretary Jonathan Reynolds told Sky News: “No, I think as ever that this government will work with allies across the world.
“I know from my experience last time on some of the trade deal negotiations, it can be a robust exchange with our US friends and allies. But they will stand up for what they believe their national interest is, and they will do the same.”
He added: “Well, sometimes I reflect on things that members of the US administration have themselves said about different people in US politics. So they are quite a robust bunch over there in the US and I know they'll have their priorities. We've got ours.
“Can we work together on lots of things in mutual interest in both countries? Absolutely, we can.”
Cabinet minister hails ‘tremendous’ VAT cut on energy bills
08:20 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
One of Andy Burnham’s newly appointed government minister’s has hailed his decision to cut Vat on energy bills as “a tremendous announcement for the first day of the new cabinet”.
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the policy is a “clear statement of intent” from the Burnham government on how it will deal with the cost of living crisis.
“It’s about the government's priorities,” he told Sky News. “It's about showing we understand people need some breathing space for pressure that they are under, and being able to make an announcement like this, I think, is a real statement.”
Burnham’s new business secretary ‘glad to be back’
08:14 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
Andy Burnham’s newly appointed business secretary Jonathan Reynolds is the first minister to be up on the morning broadcast round.
Mr Reynolds, who first served as Starmer’s business secretary before being moved to the role as chief whip, said he was “very glad to be back” in the role.
Asked if he did not enjoy the role of chief whip, he said: “It's an important job. It's a privilege to serve in any capacity.“
But look, I think for the kind of things that I think make the biggest difference to the country - I still get stopped in the street by people who work for British Steel, or what we did with Harland and Wolff, or the trade deal.
“So I think the chance to serve in that it's a privilege in any capacity. But this is what I love doing.”
Questions raised over how cutting the digital ID project funds VAT cut
08:02 , Rebecca Whittaker
Former chief secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones said the digital ID project was unfunded and questioned how the VAT cut would be paid for.
In a post on X he said: “Good news that VAT will be cut on electricity bills.
“It’s a simple way for families to save a few quid, and to mechanically help to keep inflation that little bit lower.
“But the DigitalID program was unfunded. The government will have to set out how it will pay for its new policies at the budget.”
Government determined to 'creating real opportunities for young people'
07:51 , Rebecca Whittaker
The government aims to reform education to help young people get into work.
“The reality is too many young people are still locked out of work,” a Government spokesperson said.
“For too long, governments have paid for failure rather than invested in people’s success.
“We’re determined to turn that around by creating real opportunities for young people, reforming education so everyone has a clear path to a good job and providing the support people need to stay and get on in work.”
Watch: Angela Rayner returns in cabinet reshuffle as Andy Burnham becomes prime minister
07:45 , Rebecca Whittaker
The 'economy is stuck in the slow lane' warns MP
07:37 , Rebecca Whittaker
Responding to unemployment and borrowing statistics published by the ONS today, which show unemployment has risen and public borrowing at £16bn, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: "The new Chancellor needs to turn things around, and fast. The economy is stuck in the slow lane while job seekers and families pay the price.
"Healey now needs to urgently tackle unemployment, by scrapping Rachel Reeves' unfair jobs tax that is stifling businesses and slamming the door shut on job opportunities.
"Today's borrowing figures also show the huge pressure on our public finances. The only real answer is to boost growth, and protect our economy from the global shocks it faces, like Trump's illegal Iran war. That's why Andy Burnham must immediately begin negotiations for a new growth defence partnership with the EU, including joining the Single Market."
Government borrowing fell to £16 billion last month
07:36 , Rebecca Whittaker
UK Government borrowing fell to £16 billion last month, below what forecasters were expecting thanks to lower inflation-linked debt interest costs, according to official figures.
It means June’s public sector net borrowing figure was £7.9 billion, or 33.1%, less than the same month in 2025, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
It was also £300 million below the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) forecast, and £2 billion less than what most economists had been expecting.
Borrowing between April and June was 1.9% of the UK’s gross domestic product (GDP), representing the 10th highest period since comparable records began in 1993.
Andy Burnham invites Donald Trump to Manchester for G20 hours after becoming prime minister
07:30 , Rebecca Whittaker
Andy Burnham is expected to meet with Donald Trump in Manchester next year for the G20 Summit, it has emerged, after the pair spoke for the first time just minutes after the new prime minister entered No 10.
Mr Burnham reportedly extended the invite to the US president in one of his first calls since entering Downing Street.
While White House sources offered no details of the phone call, new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea is understood to also have been discussed.
Read more here:
Andy Burnham invites Trump to Manchester hours after entering No 10
Cuts to VAT on electricity bills will be funded from scrapping Digital IDs
07:18 , Rebecca Whittaker
Chancellor John Healey said the cut to VAT on electricity 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.
“This measure is funded this year from cancelling the Digital ID programme, and it will help bring down inflation while supporting households in every postcode.”
Pictured: the members of Burnham's cabinet
07:00 , Bryony Gooch
Burnham cuts VAT on electricity bills in first major policy announcement
06:32 , Adam Withnall
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.
Andy Burnham announces fresh tax cut on electricity bills
Analysis: Burnham’s shock pick for chancellor signals a true government overhaul
06:00 , Bryony Gooch
Burnham’s shock pick for chancellor signals a true government overhaul
Watch: Political Correspondent Millie Cooke reports from Downing Street after Burnham delivers first speech
05:00 , Bryony Gooch
Who are the key winners and losers of Andy Burnham’s reshuffle so far?
04:35 , Bryony Gooch
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.
Who are the key winners and losers of Andy Burnham’s reshuffle so far?
Watch: John Healey appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer by Andy Burnham
03:15 , Bryony Gooch
What Burnham’s main policy pledges mean for you
02:20 , Bryony Gooch
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.
Read more here:
Andy Burnham’s main policy pledges – and what they mean for you
The full list of Cabinet positions:
01:10 , Bryony Gooch
- Rt Hon John Healey MP as chancellor of the exchequer
- Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP as foreign secretary
- Rt Hon Louise Haigh MP as first secretary of State, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and minister for the cabinet office
- Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood MP home secretary
- Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP as health and social care secretart
- Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP will work and pensions secretarty
- Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP will return as secretary for communities, housing and local government (MHCLG)
- Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP as secretary of state for business, inovation, science and trade
- Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP as education secretary
- Anneliese Midgley MP as chief whip
- Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP will remain minister for women and equalities
- Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP will remain secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport (DCMS)
- Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP as defence secretary
- Alex Norris MP as lord chancellor and secretary of state for justice
- Dame Angela Eagle DBE MP as secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs
- Miatta Fahnbulleh MP as secretary of state for energy security and net zero
- Stephen Kinnock MP as secretary of state for Wales.
- Sir Chris Bryant MP as secretary of state for Northern Ireland.
- Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP as attorney general
- Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP as chief secretary to the treasury
- Kanishka Narayan MP as minister of state (minister for Artificial Intelligence) jointly in the cabinet office and DCMS.
- Hamish Falconer MP as minister for intergovernmental relations and European relations
- Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP will remain as transport secretary
- Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP will remain as secretary of state for Scotland.
- Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP will remain as lord president of the Council and leader of the House of Commons.
- Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Basildon will remain as lord privy seal and leader of the House of Lords.
- Matthew Pennycook MP will remain as minister of state in the MHCLG.
Watch: David Maddox on Andy Burnham's new cabinet
Tuesday 21 July 2026 00:30 , Bryony Gooch
Jobs announced for Alan Campbell, Matthew Pennycook and more
Monday 20 July 2026 23:33 , Bryony Gooch
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.
Trump breaks silence on 'interesting' conversation with Andy Burnham
Monday 20 July 2026 23:30 , Bryony Gooch
Donald Trump has spoken out following a phone call with new prime minister Andy Burnham.
The US president said on Truth Social: “I had a very good conversation with the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Andy Burnham.
:We discussed many subjects, including the outstanding relationship we have had with the UK. We will be meeting in the not too distant future for topics of mutual interest.
“The Prime Minister has got a big job ahead of him, but he will be able to do it and, of course, the U.S.A. will be there to help!
“We discussed North Sea Oil, Trade, the Military Alliance, Demining of the Hormuz Strait, and many other topics. The call was interesting, and went very well. I wished Prime Minister Burnham, GOOD LUCK AND GODSPEED! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
Heidi Alexander to continue leading the department for transport
Monday 20 July 2026 23:15 , Bryony Gooch
Heidi Alexander will remain as transport secretary.
Heidi Alexander has been reappointed as Secretary of State for Transport @transportgovuk. pic.twitter.com/ltzSBhUO4X
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 20, 2026
AI minister officially announced
Monday 20 July 2026 23:15 , Bryony Gooch
Kanishka Narayan, formerly online safety minister, will be minister for AI as part of the department of culture, minister and sport.
Roles announced for Chris Bryant, Ellie Reeves, Stephen Kinnock and more
Monday 20 July 2026 23:14 , Bryony Gooch
Chris Bryant will be the secretary of state for Northern Ireland, while Stephen Kinnock will take the role on for Wales.
Ellie Reeves, formerly solicitor general, will be the attorney general, taking over from Lord Hermer.
Hamish Falconer will be minister for intergovernmental relations and European relations.
Douglas Alexander will remain secretary for Scotland.
Chris Bryant has been appointed as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland @niogov. pic.twitter.com/cen919O9BR
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 20, 2026
Angela Eagle and Miatta Fahnbulleh given top roles in cabinet
Monday 20 July 2026 22:57 , Bryony Gooch
Angela Eagle will be secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs.
Miatta Fahnbulleh has been appoitned secretary of state for energy security and net zero, taking over from Ed Miliband.
Angela Eagle has been appointed as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs @defragovuk. pic.twitter.com/CHbpQMWQa8
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 20, 2026
Alex Norris to be justice secretary
Monday 20 July 2026 22:55 , Bryony Gooch
Alex Norris has been appointed as lord chancellor and secretary of state for justice.
He replaces David Lammy in the role.
Alex Norris has been appointed as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice @mojgovuk. pic.twitter.com/5VsCDPYq97
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 20, 2026
BREAKING: Wes Streeting to be defence secretary
Monday 20 July 2026 22:54 , Bryony Gooch
Wes Streeting will be defence secretary, it’s just come in.
Downing Street announced the former health secretary will take the top job at the Ministry of Defence.
Wes Streeting has been appointed as Secretary of State for Defence @defencehq. pic.twitter.com/ROUXNhmimw
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 20, 2026
