Andy Burnham has officially taken office as Prime Minister, announcing his new cabinet following the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer. Burnham secured the leadership with a significant majority, winning the backing of 379 out of Labour's 403 MPs.

Burnham, a former health secretary and Greater Manchester mayor, pledged to decentralize power from Whitehall, increase public control over the water and energy sectors, and boost council house construction. He also committed to maintaining Labour's election promise not to raise income tax or National Insurance rates. In one of his initial policy moves, he announced the removal of VAT from electricity bills later this year.

Key appointments include John Healey as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer. Healey, who recently left his post as Defence Secretary, has previously served as a Treasury minister and expressed views critical of "Treasury orthodoxy." He is expected to work closely with Prime Minister Burnham on reindustrialisation and devolution agendas, facing the challenge of balancing the government's spending plans.

Louise Haigh has been appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, First Secretary of State, and Cabinet Office minister. As a close ally of Burnham, she will oversee the department responsible for supporting the Prime Minister and coordinating government policy implementation. Haigh previously served as Transport Secretary before resigning from Sir Keir Starmer's cabinet.

Burnham, born in 1970, joined the Labour Party in his youth, inspired by the miners' strike. He first became an MP in 2001. His path to leadership included two previous unsuccessful bids for the party leadership and a tenure as Greater Manchester mayor before returning to Parliament as the MP for Makerfield.

Healey's appointment as Chancellor is seen as a surprise by some, with speculation previously pointing towards other senior figures. His background includes serving as parliamentary private secretary to Chancellor Gordon Brown and various ministerial roles within the Treasury. He is recognized for his international connections.

Haigh entered Parliament in 2015 and gained recognition for her parliamentary activity. Her role at the Cabinet Office will be crucial in driving the government's agenda and ensuring policy coherence across departments. Her previous resignation from Starmer's cabinet followed an admitted fraud offense from 2013.

The new Prime Minister's agenda emphasizes a shift in governmental focus, aiming for greater regional autonomy and direct public benefit from essential services. The appointments signal a potential departure from previous fiscal approaches, with a focus on growth and investment.