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Prime Minister Andy Burnham held his first cabinet meeting at Downing Street, telling ministers the government must be a "cost of living government" and that its priorities would be focused on easing financial pressure on households. His first major policy announcement was to scrap VAT on household electricity bills, funded by cancelling the digital ID programme. The cabinet includes a mix of experienced figures, such as Chancellor John Healey, and newer MPs, with Louise Haigh appointed as First Secretary of State to lead a new Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Political analysis noted the strategy is aimed at countering the threat from Reform UK and addressing voter concerns about the cost of living.

In other news, prosecutors told Westminster Magistrates Court that Joshua Kerry, 28, allegedly struck former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe 21 times on the head with a hammer during a burglary at her Devon home. Kerry was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey. In India, the youth-led Cockroach Junta Party continued protests in Delhi demanding the education minister's resignation, after clashes with police the previous day left nearly 180 people injured. Meanwhile, Spain celebrated its World Cup win with a parade in Madrid attended by nearly two million people.