UK Chancellor Healey Challenges Cabinet to Find Budget Cuts Under New PM Burnham
Chancellor John Healey has challenged Cabinet ministers to find savings in their budgets during the first Cabinet meeting under Prime Minister Andy Burnham's government. Healey urged ministers to 'look harder' at spending priorities across departments to maintain fiscal discipline and relieve the cost of living. The call came hours after former chief secretary Darren Jones criticized the government for an 'unfunded' tax cut on energy bills via VAT reduction, which Burnham defended as offering help. Burnham emphasized teamwork and ending internal briefing wars, while Healey promised 'fiscal control' ahead of the Budget later this year and a Spending Review in mid-2027. Business rates relief for pubs is expected among upcoming announcements. Healey, who resigned as defence secretary under predecessor Keir Starmer, is expected to prioritize defence funding.
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