Prime Minister Andy Burnham convened his first cabinet meeting on June 20, 2026, declaring his government will focus on reducing the cost of living [1].
This policy shift marks a departure from the administration of his predecessor, Keir Starmer. By centering his agenda on household expenses, Burnham aims to address the ongoing economic crisis affecting citizens across the United Kingdom [2, 3].
Burnham's path to the premiership followed his victory in the Makerfield by-election on June 19, 2026 [1, 4]. That election contested one parliamentary seat [5]. Following the win, Burnham moved quickly to establish his priorities at Downing Street in London [1, 2].
"We need to be a government centered on the cost of living, achieving a decrease in that cost, looking at all possible ways to do it," Burnham said [1]. To achieve this, he said his administration will review public spending, tariffs, and taxes [2].
One specific measure under consideration involves the suspension of import tariffs for more than 100 food products [6]. This move is intended to lower the price of essential goods for consumers.
Despite the unified public front, some reports indicate a lack of consensus among his closest advisors. While some sources describe a united cabinet, others report that Burnham's inner circle is divided over the specific methods used to tackle the crisis [3, 7].
Burnham acknowledged these internal debates regarding the strategy. "Within my team there are different opinions on how to attack the cost of living crisis, but we all agree that it is the number one priority," he said [3].
“"We need to be a government centered on the cost of living."”
The transition from Starmer to Burnham represents a pivot toward more direct economic intervention. By targeting import tariffs on over 100 products and reviewing public spending, the new administration is attempting to provide immediate relief to voters. However, the reported divisions within the cabinet suggest a tension between aggressive spending to lower costs and the need for fiscal discipline.
