London, 21 July 2026

Andy Burnham is the new British Prime Minister as of Monday. On his very first day in office, he formed his cabinet and announced in the morning a cut in value-added tax on private electricity bills.

Government Formation on the First Day in Office

Andy Burnham, 56, has been the new British Prime Minister since Monday. He succeeds Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation in June. On the same day, Burnham was tasked by King Charles III with forming a government. As a statement from Downing Street indicated, he held his first cabinet meeting at midday, according to the BBC. An initial measure had already been announced in the early morning.

This first act in office targets the cost of living of the British population head-on. By cutting value-added tax on electricity bills, private households are to be relieved. Burnham had already assured Britons in advance of support in the face of high living costs. He had repeatedly stressed that the new government must give people the feeling that help is on the way, government circles said.

First Act in Office: Relief on Electricity

In his address to the ministers, Burnham said, according to participants, that ministers must form a government that commits itself to the issue of the cost of living and gives people the feeling that help is coming. This programmatic line was also emphasized at Downing Street, where it was said the focus lies on the reindustrialization of the entire country as well as on defence and security.