What's Actually Changing?
Every confirmed policy change from the new government, tracked individually — not just what's been announced, but exactly how it's funded, who it actually helps, and what's being given up to pay for it. Facts and figures are kept separate from stated positions throughout.
This page tracks confirmed, costed policy changes and genuinely pending decisions only — not speeches, pledges without detail, or reshuffle news, which are covered on our general Burnham Watch feed instead. Last checked 24 July 2026.
Confirmed changes
Announced, costed, and in effect or scheduled.
VAT Removed From Household Electricity Bills
21 July 2026VAT on domestic electricity cut from 5% to 0% for six months over winter, expected to save around £45 off the average annual bill. Costed at roughly £850m, funded by cancelling the previous government's Digital ID programme — though the opposition has flagged a £250m gap in confirmed savings from that cancellation.
Read the full breakdown →£2 Single Bus Fare Cap
22 July 2026Single bus fares outside London capped at £2 from January 2027, down from £3, extended through the end of that year. Funded partly by converting international climate finance grants into loans — a move that's drawn criticism from development charities over developing-country debt.
Read the full breakdown →"End Rough Sleeping" — First Instruction as PM
20 July 2026Burnham's literal first instruction on entering office, backed by £340m as the opening investment in a five-year plan. Comes with real scrutiny attached: rough sleeping rose during his own time as Greater Manchester mayor, despite a near-identical pledge made in 2017.
Read the full breakdown →Pending decisions
Being actively decided, not yet confirmed either way — tracked here so you can see what's coming before it's announced.
North Sea Oil & Gas — Rosebank and Jackdaw
⏳ Decision due after 17 Aug 2026Not yet decided. Two already-licensed fields await a final production decision from the Energy Secretary, after courts ruled their original approvals unlawful in 2025. Reports suggest Burnham leans supportive, but nothing is confirmed — and approving them would sit uneasily next to past comments from his own likely Energy Secretary calling one field's approval "climate vandalism."
Read the full breakdown →