"We're taking immediate action to cut taxes on energy bills, put ​more money in people's pockets and bring back hope," he said in a statement, having pledged to give people more "breathing space" in their lives. An ally of former prime minister Keir ‌Starmer, Darren Jones, said the digital ID scheme was unfunded, questioning whether ⁠the new leader had the money to cover his policy move on energy bills. Both Burnham and Healey acknowledged the move on electricity bills might not remove ‌cost-of-living pressures, but the finance minister said it "does indicate that we're offering a bit of help". Energy bills have been one of the main drivers of Britain's cost-of-living crunch after the wholesale gas price, which heavily influences British electricity prices, surged after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Advertisement AdvertisementIn his first speech ​as prime minister on Monday, Burnham said his ambition was to end ‌rough sleeping in Britain.