Chris Mason: New chancellor faces tough spending choices

Chris Mason: New chancellor faces tough spending choicesImage source, EPAByChris MasonPolitical editorPublished21 July 2026, 06:30 BSTUpdated Just nowA government ends and a new government begins, determined to make a splash with its early policy announcements.Andy Burnham has started his first full day in the job with a promise to cut VAT from household electricity bills from 1 October.We can expect to see and hear plenty from the new prime minister and his senior ministers in the coming days, making arguments, travelling the country and trying to make an impact.Burnham's new cabinet will meet for the first time at lunchtime.Its appointment became something of a nocturnal affair.At gone 22:00 BST on Monday night, there was still a minibus full of ministerial wannabes inside Downing…

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