Day Headlines in Politics News: 2026-07-21
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Boost youth jobs by cutting employers' national insurance, MPs urge (BBC News - Politics 2026-07-21 23:17:58)
A select committee says it has heard "overwhelming evidence" that rising employment costs are reducing training and job vacancies.
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Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar set to become a minister in Burnham's government (BBC News - Politics 2026-07-21 20:56:18)
It would mean Sarwar leaving the Scottish Parliament and his leader role, then taking up a seat in the House of Lords.
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Should there have been a general election? (BBC News - Politics 2026-07-21 20:26:28)
Members of the public are asked if they think they should have being given a vote before Andy Burnham was appointed the new UK prime minister.
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Burnham tells cabinet to tackle living costs at first meeting (BBC News - Politics 2026-07-21 17:25:41)
The new prime minister chaired his first cabinet after announcing a cut to VAT on household electricity.
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Sackings, cabinet surprises and policies: Burnham's first 24 hours as PM (BBC News - Politics 2026-07-21 17:14:44)
The new prime minister enters Number 10 in a flurry of activity - but he is still facing calls for a snap election.
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Angela Rayner: Cabinet comeback for one of Labour's biggest names (BBC News - Politics 2026-07-21 16:12:23)
The potential contender to replace Keir Starmer is now back in the cabinet under Andy Burnham.
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Three reasons why UK electricity prices are so high (BBC News - Politics 2026-07-21 16:11:14)
The government has announced it will cut VAT on domestic electricity to zero but Britons still pay more for power than many other European nations.
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Ann Widdecombe was hit on head 21 times with hammer, prosecutors say (BBC News - Politics 2026-07-21 15:35:08)
Joshua Kerry, 28, attacked Widdecombe while she was eating lunch at her home in Devon before stealing her wallet, prosecutors say.
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How northern is PM Andy Burnham's new cabinet? (BBC News - Politics 2026-07-21 14:58:44)
Northern MPs make up a big part of Andy Burnham's new cabinet - but how many are there?
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Sir Chris Bryant outlines 'checklist' of issues as he takes up NI secretary role (BBC News - Politics 2026-07-21 14:53:04)
Hilary Benn replaced by a former Anglican priest as part of a Cabinet reshuffle by the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham.
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Will scrapping digital ID pay for a VAT cut? (BBC News - Politics 2026-07-21 14:37:18)
BBC Political Correspondent Damien Grammaticas explains Andy Burnham's plan to cut VAT and its link to the scrapped digital ID scheme.
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Farage calls for general election: 'Burnham has no mandate' (BBC News - Politics 2026-07-21 14:07:40)
The Reform UK leader says the public want a vote on the new PM's 10-year plan.
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Ann Widdecombe was hit on head repeatedly with hammer, prosecutors say (BBC News - Politics 2026-07-21 13:57:20)
Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, in South Yorkshire, is charged with her murder and appeared in court.
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Who is the UK's new chancellor? (BBC News - Politics 2026-07-21 13:15:31)
After becoming PM on Monday, Burnham appointed John Healey as chancellor, Ed Miliband as foreign secretary and Wes Streeting as defence secretary
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Burnham VAT cut 'already fallen apart' - Badenoch (BBC News - Politics 2026-07-21 12:50:12)
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she welcomed the removal of VAT on energy bills, but questioned how Andy Burnham would fund it.
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Burnham thanks ministers for joining cabinet (BBC News - Politics 2026-07-21 12:47:43)
Andy Burnham holds his first cabinet meeting as prime minister
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Applause as Burnham arrives for first cabinet meeting as PM (BBC News - Politics 2026-07-21 12:39:42)
Andy Burnham is holding his first cabinet meeting as prime minister
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Former Labour leader's 'delight' as son becomes new Welsh secretary (BBC News - Politics 2026-07-21 12:35:04)
Stephen Kinnock is the son of ex-Labour leader Lord Kinnock and former MEP Glenys Kinnock.
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Angela Rayner: Labour's working-class warrior bounces back (BBC News - Politics 2026-07-21 12:09:38)
The potential contender to replace Keir Starmer is now back in the cabinet under Andy Burnham.
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Whitehall officials offered move to No 10 North in Manchester (BBC News - Politics 2026-07-21 11:54:26)
London-based civil servants willing to move north have been told they will be offered relocation packages, the BBC understands.