Burnham Day 2: After the purge, the splurge

The Andy Burnham era is underway, and the new prime minister is kicking off with a bang – cutting VAT on electricity bills. He promised the country some “breathing space” on the cost of living, but with prices still rising will anyone actually feel better off? And is it properly funded? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine what the announcement shows about Burnham’s direction of travel in government, as his new cabinet gathers for the first time. Plus, the duo unpack the biggest cabinet appointments – from John Healey as chancellor to Wes Streeting at Defence – after many Starmer loyalists were shown the door.