UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a 20% cut to business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music venues to ease the cost of living crisis. The policy, costing £100M annually, is the third since his Monday appointment, aiming to save 32,000 hospitality businesses £1,100/year.
New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, after winning Labour leadership unopposed, announced a "cost of living government." His initial policies include removing 5% VAT from electricity bills until April and capping single bus fares in England (outside London) at £2 from January 2025.
New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, following Keir Starmer's resignation, has prioritized the cost of living, announcing a 5% VAT removal from electricity bills and capping bus fares at £2 in England outside London. These measures, funded by scrapping the digital ID program and reallocating climate finance, highlight the fiscal challenges of high public debt and ambitious spending plans.
Andy Burnham, in his first cabinet meeting as prime minister, pledged a "cost of living government" and announced a VAT cut on energy bills. However, his plan to fund this by scrapping Sir Keir Starmer's digital ID scheme immediately sparked a row over its financial viability.
Andy Burnham, in his first cabinet meeting as Prime Minister, pledged a "cost of living government," announcing a VAT cut on household energy bills. The policy's funding, from scrapping Sir Keir Starmer's digital ID scheme, sparked an early row, with opposition and sacked loyalists questioning its viability.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a cut in VAT on household electricity bills from 5% to zero, effective October 1, saving typical households £45 annually. Funded by cancelling the digital ID program, the move aims to ease cost-of-living pressures, though opposition parties criticize the funding source.
The UK government borrowed less than expected in June, reporting £16bn, £7.9bn less than forecast. This comes as new Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced plans to cut VAT on household electricity bills, funded by cancelling the digital ID program, signaling a new economic direction.
Bill Gates warns AI industry against raising household power bills with data centers. He notes 48 projects worth $156B were blocked in 2025, and public opposition is rising, forcing companies to seek community "permission" beyond permits.
Ireland's datacentres used 22% of the country's electricity in 2023, increasing household bills by an average of €360 (2015-2023). A report warns this pattern could replicate across Europe, urging stricter renewable energy requirements for datacentres.
