• New PM announces tax cut after cabinet shakeup

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the United Kingdom’s new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, on his assumption of office, expressing confidence that Nigeria and the UK would deepen their longstanding partnership under the new administration.
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In a statement issued yesterday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tinubu also congratulated the government and people of the United Kingdom on what he described as a peaceful, orderly and seamless leadership transition, saying it reflected the strength of the country’s democratic institutions and constitutional tradition.
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The President recalled his productive engagement with the immediate past British Prime Minister during his official visit to the UK in March 2026 and expressed optimism that Burnham would consolidate on the achievements recorded during that visit.

According to the statement, Tinubu said he looked forward to expanding areas of partnership, collaboration and cooperation with the United Kingdom under Burnham’s leadership.
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The President also expressed his desire to engage with the new British leader at the earliest opportunity, both bilaterally and through the Commonwealth, to deepen relations between the two countries and strengthen their strategic partnership for the mutual benefit of their citizens.
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MEANWHILE, Andy Burnham has announced a tax cut to ease cost-of-living pressures as he was set to convene his first cabinet meeting yesterday.

After replacing Keir Starmer in Downing Street and purging the government of his predecessor’s loyalists, the 56-year-old yesterday morning said he was cutting value-added tax on consumer electricity bills.

The new business minister, Jonathan Reynolds, told Sky News this was a “tremendous announcement for the first day of the new cabinet”, which was due to meet yesterday afternoon.

Burnham pledged to re-industrialise Britain and decentralise power as well as end sleeping rough on the streets after he met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace to become the head of government following Starmer’s departure.

In his first call with US President Donald Trump, Burnham underlined his “commitment to defence and security”, a UK government spokesperson said.

Trump said he had a “very good conversation” with Burnham and that the two leaders would meet “in the not-too-distant future”.

To Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Burnham reaffirmed Britain’s “resolute commitment” to Ukraine in its defence of Russia’s invasion, according to Downing Street.

French President Emmanuel Macron sent congratulations, urging Burnham to “give new momentum to the partnership” with the European Union.

In his brief speech, Burnham said he would “bring forward a new plan for Britain, a 10-year plan”, without giving specifics.