Chris Mason: Starmer ally takes swipe at Burnham's first big policy

Starmer ally takes swipe at Burnham's first big policyImage source, ReutersByChris MasonPolitical editorPublished12 minutes agoWhenever there is a reshuffle at the top of government, it is worth keeping an eye and an ear on the dislodged, demoted and rejected former ministers. What do they choose to do and say next?Andy Burnham has started his first full day in the job with a promise to cut VAT from household electricity bills from 1 October.But already – within hours - he is taking flak from a man who just yesterday was in a senior job in Downing Street working alongside Sir Keir Starmer.On Monday night, the former Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones. posted a picture on X of him having a beer, external, captioned "thank you and good night. See you September."If that was meant to suggest a vow of silence it only lasted a little over 12 hours, because at breakfast time this morning came another post, this one unaccompanied by any picture but loaded with political bite."Good news that VAT will be cut on electricity bills," wrote Joens. "It's a simple way for families to save a few quid, and to mechanically help to keep inflation that little bit lower. But the DigitalID program was unfunded. The government will have to set out how it will pay for its new policies at the budget."Ouch - that will sting in Downing Street.Who's in Andy Burnham's cabinet?Published1 hour agoAnd yes, there are four references in the Office for Budget Responsibility's Economic and Fiscal Outlook from November, external of last year that refer to the Digital ID and how where the money will come from to pay for it is not clear.For example, on page 10, it says "the cost of digital ID cards, for which no specific funding has been identified." On Page 172 it talks about "the risks around the implementation of digital ID cards for which no explicit provision has been made for its £0.6bn annual cost".Clearly,...