Andy Burnham makes first major act as PM - giving £45 boost to UK households from October

The move will take effect from October 1Carrington Walker Live News Journalist, Ashley Cowburn and Paige Ingram Multimedia Journalist08:38, 21 Jul 2026Andy Burnham has unveiled a major shake‑up to household bills, announcing that VAT will be slashed from domestic electricity costs just hours before he chairs his first Cabinet meeting.‌The new PM had teased the move in his debut speech outside No10 on Monday (July 20), promising an announcement on the cost‑of‑living crisis.‌He insisted he could “do something to give people some breathing space now” and was already looking at measures “that could make a difference this year”. From October 1, VAT will be removed from electricity bills, a change set to hit the next Ofgem price cap, according to The Mirror.‌Mr Burnham claims the cut will “put m