Burnham: VAT to be removed from London electricity bills next week

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced that Value Added Tax (VAT) will be removed from electricity bills for Londoners from next week. The announcement came during an interview with BBC London's political editor Karl Mercer, where Burnham discussed key issues facing the capital.

Burnham stated that the VAT removal is intended to help people quickly, acknowledging it is not a complete solution but a step towards easing financial pressures. He also addressed concerns about London's housing crisis, revealing that he has agreed a significant housing funding package with Mayor Sadiq Khan. This package aims to support the largest wave of council house building in London for many years.

Support for Mayor Khan

When asked about Sadiq Khan's candidacy for Mayor of London, Burnham expressed his full support. He praised Khan's work on issues such as air quality and transport improvements, and stated that Khan has done more to address the housing crisis than his predecessors. Burnham emphasised his close working relationship with the Mayor.

Criminal Justice Concerns

The interview also touched upon issues within the criminal justice system. Burnham acknowledged concerns raised by Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, regarding prolific offenders being routinely granted bail. Burnham described a specific case as 'disturbing' and called for a review of decisions made by the courts.

Regarding the early release scheme, Burnham indicated that significant alterations have been made since he took office. He stated that those guilty of the most serious crimes, including individuals involved in the manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper, will not be released early. He also committed to ensuring high levels of restrictions are in place where releases do occur, attributing the current situation partly to a historical failure to build sufficient prison places.

Israel-Palestine Conflict Stance

Burnham also addressed the conflict between Israel and Palestine, stating that the government's position has changed to reflect public concern in London. He mentioned working with Ed Miliband to announce this shift, reaffirming condemnation of the 7 October attacks while stating they do not justify actions in Gaza or the West Bank.