Burnham to set out cost of living support as his Cabinet meets for first time

Burnham to set out cost of living supportImage source, EPA/ShutterstockByTabby Wilson and Jack Fenwick and Richard WheelerPublished5 minutes agoAndy Burnham is set to announce new support to help people with the cost of living crisis as his cabinet meets for the first time. The new prime minister vowed to provide "breathing space" for households struggling with the cost of living as he stood on the steps of No 10, pledging to set out details on Tuesday. Late on Monday night Burnham finished making appointments to his top team, with key appointments including John Healey as chancellor and Ed Miliband as foreign secretary. Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner also returned to government as housing secretary, as well as new defence secretary Wes Streeting. The prime minister is also expected to appoint his junior ministers on Tuesday.In his first speech to the nation in Downing Street on Monday, Burnham said he wanted to bring forward the "biggest changes in the last 40 years" to British politics.He outlined his intention to unveil a 10-year "new plan for Britain" later this year, explaining this would lay out a path to where he believes "we all want Britain to be".Burnham promised to set out some of his government's measures to "give people some breathing space now, some help with the cost of living" on Tuesday and said he would explain how he would pay for them.Speaking to broadcasters on Monday, Healey said the pair will "work in lockstep to meet the fiscal rules with a buffer against uncertainty" and on how they will "make life more affordable for working people right across the UK".Housing secretary Rayner, a role she previously held in Sir Keir's government, will be tasked with delivering on pledges to end rough sleeping and build record numbers of council houses. She stood down in September 2025 after admitting she underpaid stamp duty on her £800,000 flat in Hove.Yvette Cooper...