Andy Burnham is set to lead his inaugural Cabinet meeting today following a significant reshuffle that saw several of Keir Starmer’s supporters reassigned to the backbenches. The newly appointed Chancellor, John Healey, will reclaim his position at the top table after abruptly resigning as Defence Secretary, citing a lack of financial support from the Treasury for national defense. Meanwhile, Wes Streeting, who also stepped down in protest against Starmer’s leadership, will assume his former role.

Ed Miliband will make his debut as Foreign Secretary at the meeting, while Shabana Mahmood retains her position as Home Secretary after unveiling extensive changes to the asylum system last week. Yvette Cooper, formerly overseeing the Home Office and Foreign Office, has been transitioned to the role of Health Secretary in the recent wave of appointments.

Among the returning Cabinet members are Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Louise Haigh, and Education Secretary Lucy Powell. The new additions include Burnham’s associates Anneliese Midgley and Energy Security Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh.

In his first address outside No10, the Prime Minister, who assumed office on Monday, promised to introduce the most significant reforms the UK has seen in four decades, emphasizing the restoration of hope and belief in Britain. Noteworthy is the absence of Rachel Reeves, David Lammy, Peter Kyle, and Liz Kendall from the upcoming Cabinet meeting, as they were among those removed in one of Burnham’s initial actions as Prime Minister, alongside Starmer allies Steve Reed and Lord Richard Hermer.

On his first day in office, Burnham declared his commitment to addressing rough sleeping, vowing to issue his first directive to eradicate homelessness in the country. Additionally, the government announced a tax cut of £850 million on energy bills early Tuesday morning to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis, with energy bills becoming VAT-exempt from October 1, resulting in approximately £45 in savings for households.

The tax relief initiative will be funded partly by discontinuing Starmer’s digital ID project, estimated to cost around £600 million annually for three years. The Prime Minister underscored the move as a means to provide relief to the public, reduce financial burdens, and instill hope. Healey echoed these sentiments, highlighting the energy tax cut’s role in easing household expenses and curbing inflation, particularly during the upcoming winter months.