The Guardian Politics

UK inflation falls to 2.6% in lift for Burnham’s cost of living plans

Annual June figure comes after new PM pledges to reduce pressure on households and improve economyUK inflation dropped by more than expected in June to 2.6%, in a boost for Andy Burnham’s plans to reduce the cost of living.The new prime minister has pledged to bring down the cost of living to give households more disposable income and improve the outlook for the economy. Continue reading...

politics  4d ago

The Guardian Politics

How could Britain look under proportional representation? See the results for your area

These visualisations from exclusive polling modelling show how the UK parliament could change under different voting systemsNew analysis produced exclusively for the Guardian reveals how different voting systems would return wildly different seat totals in the UK parliament based on current polling.While the current first past the post (FPTP) system could leave Reform UK just 30 seats short of a majority based on recent polls, the modelling shows how proportional systems would be likely to give

politics  4d ago

BBC Politics

Chris Mason: Sarwar ministerial role sees promotion of another Starmer critic

Months after calling on Keir Starmer to quit, the Scottish Labour leader is set to become a minister in Burnham's government, the BBC's political editor writes.

politics  4d ago

The Guardian Politics

Andy Burnham is playing the long game in an age of short attention spans | Rafael Behr

It is hard to make the case for a 10-year plan in our political culture of constant campaigning frenzy – but the new PM will try It all sounded feasible but improbable. A few days after Labour’s disastrous performance in local and devolved elections in May, one of Andy Burnham’s allies confidently forecast for me the sequence of events that would convey the then mayor of Greater Manchester to No 10. A friendly MP would surrender a parliamentary seat. Keir Starmer would be persuaded to resign. Ot

politics  4d ago

BBC Politics

Burnham pulls back on suggestion to increase income tax allowance

The new prime minister previously said voters were frustrated over the freeze in tax-free personal allowance.

politics  4d ago

BBC Politics

Boost youth jobs by cutting employers' national insurance, MPs urge

A select committee says it has heard "overwhelming evidence" that rising employment costs are reducing training and job vacancies.

politics  4d ago

BBC Politics

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar set to become a minister in Burnham's government

It would mean Sarwar leaving the Scottish Parliament and his leader role, then taking up a seat in the House of Lords.

politics  4d ago

BBC Politics

Should there have been a general election?

Members of the public are asked if they think they should have being given a vote before Andy Burnham was appointed the new UK prime minister.

politics  4d ago

The Guardian Politics

The Guardian view on social care reform: Andy Burnham is right – this issue must be gripped | Editorial

Ending the pattern of broken pledges and ditched proposals could help to rebuild trust in politics Andy Burnham chose not to make social care the centrepiece of his first speech as prime minister. Instead, rough sleeping was named as his top priority upon entering 10 Downing Street. Given that earlier attempts at overhauling social care have flopped, he was wise not to over-promise on day one. Louise Casey, who is leading the independent commission on the issue, says that “an honest co

politics  5d ago

The Guardian Politics

Fiscal hawk or big spender – what kind of chancellor will John Healey be?

The diligent, popular, unexpected pick for the Treasury has been given a straitjacket – and the job of funding the PM’s policy promisesUK politics live – latest updatesOn the frequent occasions that John Healey would travel abroad as defence secretary, he was so determined to keep working he would get the crew to tether a desk to the inside of his military aircraft so he could read his papers.His diligence is one reason why Andy Burnham, the new prime minister, made Healey his unexpected pick fo

politics  5d ago

The Guardian Politics

Starmer allies see ‘hint of retribution’ in Burnham reshuffle

Former PM’s supporters question pledge to end factional infighting after more than half his cabinet removed or demotedKeir Starmer’s allies have questioned Andy Burnham’s pledge to end factional infighting after he removed or demoted more than half of the outgoing prime minister’s cabinet in his first reshuffle.“This was a deeply factional cabinet reshuffle,” one said. “The idea it was anything else is ridiculous.” Continue reading...

politics  5d ago

BBC Politics

Burnham tells cabinet to tackle living costs at first meeting

The new prime minister chaired his first cabinet after announcing a cut to VAT on household electricity.

politics  5d ago

The Guardian Politics

Where will Andy Burnham find the money to fund his spending pledges?

The new PM is already under pressure to explain how he will pay for his ambitious plans to remake BritainAndy Burnham has made lowering the cost of living his first major policy announcement in government, with an immediate tax cut to remove VAT on energy bills.As he begins to flesh out his agenda for government, the prime minister said the measure would provide “breathing space” for households. But Burnham is under close scrutiny over how his plans will be funded. Continue reading...

politics  5d ago

BBC Politics

Sackings, cabinet surprises and policies: Burnham's first 24 hours as PM

The new prime minister enters Number 10 in a flurry of activity - but he is still facing calls for a snap election.

politics  5d ago

The Guardian Politics

Burnham has forced greater clarity at Thames Water. Now he must choose

Bondholders are suddenly showing flexibility after 18 wasted months at ailing utility companyThames Water investors offer ‘golden share’ in bid to head off nationalisationWhat a difference a credible political threat of special administration at Thames Water can make. Suddenly, the bondholders are volunteering all manner of new ideas in their attempt to take over the ailing utility. Would you like the state to have a “golden share”, Mr Burnham? Here is a menu of “supervisory structures” that may

politics  5d ago

The Guardian Politics

Ben Jennings on Nigel Farage’s deadliest foe – cartoon

Continue reading...

politics  5d ago

BBC Politics

Three reasons why UK electricity prices are so high

The government has announced it will cut VAT on domestic electricity to zero but Britons still pay more for power than many other European nations.

politics  5d ago

The Guardian Politics

Big, brave Nige shows face in public again with aimless speech to a few mega-fans | John Crace

Reform leader’s recycled moanathon included digs at Kemi, the media, immigrants and new PM. But no questions, of courseIs it safe? Is it safe? For the past couple of months, Nigel Farage has been like Laurence Olivier in Marathon Man wondering if he can come out of hiding. Tucked away in one of his five homes, living on handouts from benefactors and hoping the coast is clear. Free from troublesome reporters who insist on asking awkward questions about where his money comes from and what it’s for

politics  5d ago

The Guardian Politics

Healey as chancellor? Streeting as defence secretary? This isn’t a cabinet to change the UK like Burnham promised | Owen Jones

Putting Ed Miliband in charge of the Treasury would have signalled a genuine new era. Instead, the new PM has played it safeAndy Burnham has promised to bring “four decades of neoliberalism” to an end. The first serious test of that pledge was always going to be the cabinet he appointed. The red flags are impossible to ignore.Ending neoliberalism would mean putting privatised services back into public hands, unleashing public investment and using the power of the state to reshape the economy. Ye

politics  5d ago

BBC Politics

How northern is PM Andy Burnham's new cabinet?

Northern MPs make up a big part of Andy Burnham's new cabinet - but how many are there?

politics  5d ago