Prime Minister says £45-a-year reduction will give struggling households “breathing space” this winter

PRIME MINISTER Andy Burnham has announced that VAT will be removed from domestic electricity bills from October 1 as part of his Government’s first major intervention on the cost of living.

The move, unveiled alongside new Chancellor John Healey on Tuesday morning, is expected to reduce the annual Ofgem energy price cap by around £45, provided suppliers pass the full saving on to customers.

It comes less than 24 hours after Mr Burnham entered Downing Street promising immediate action to support households struggling with rising bills and stretched finances.

Mr Burnham said: “Westminster has not been working for people for too long, with families struggling with the cost of living.

“That needs to change. I said I wanted to give people breathing space, and that’s what I’m announcing on my second day as Prime Minister.

“We’re taking immediate action to cut taxes on energy bills, put more money in people’s pockets and bring back hope.”

The Government said the measure would initially be funded by cancelling the planned Digital ID programme.

Mr Healey said: “For too long, too many people have struggled with the cost of living.

“Today’s energy tax cut will give families some breathing room on bills and provide some reassurance this winter.

“This measure is funded this year by cancelling the Digital ID programme. It will help bring down inflation while supporting households in every postcode.”

The announcement represents the first policy move of Mr Burnham’s premiership and comes ahead of the first meeting of his newly appointed Cabinet.

In his first address from Downing Street, Mr Burnham promised the biggest transformation of British politics in four decades, pledging to create what he described as “a new political model and a new economic model” for the country.

He began reshaping the Government on Monday evening, appointing Mr Healey as Chancellor in place of Rachel Reeves.

A number of senior figures from Sir Keir Starmer’s administration also left Government, including former deputy prime minister David Lammy, former attorney general Lord Hermer and former housing secretary Steve Reed.

Their replacements are expected to join Mr Burnham around the Cabinet table on Tuesday as the new administration begins setting out its priorities.

The Prime Minister has also indicated that his Government is considering further measures to ease pressure on household finances, including controls on rents and a cap on bus fares.

Further details on those proposals have yet to be announced.

Direct flights to resorts in Italy, Austria and France will operate through Crystal Ski Holidays

SKIING may be far from most people’s minds as Wales experiences another spell of hot weather, but Cardiff Airport is urging holidaymakers to start planning their winter escapes.

Crystal Ski Holidays is offering direct flights from Cardiff to Turin, Salzburg and Chambéry this winter, providing access to major skiing regions across Italy, Austria and France.

Airport officials say experienced skiers often begin arranging their holidays during the summer, when there is generally a wider choice of resorts, accommodation and departure dates.

Turin provides access to the Italian Alps and resorts including Sestriere and Sauze d’Oulx, while Salzburg serves Austria’s alpine villages and ski areas catering for beginners, families and more experienced visitors.

Flights to Chambéry offer a route into the French Alps, including some of Europe’s largest interconnected ski areas.

Lee Smith, Head of Business Development at Cardiff Airport, said: “The current heatwave might make winter feel a long way off, but now is exactly when many experienced skiers start planning their next trip.

“Booking early gives customers the greatest choice and helps them secure the holiday that’s right for them.

“We’re delighted to be working with Crystal Ski Holidays to offer direct flights from Cardiff to Turin, Salzburg and Chambéry this winter, giving travellers from Wales easy access to some of Europe’s most popular ski destinations.

“It’s a convenient way to start a winter holiday, with great choice available across Italy, Austria and France.”

The programme includes options for families, groups, first-time skiers and experienced winter sports enthusiasts.

Crystal Ski Holidays packages include flights, accommodation, resort transfers and access to holiday representatives.

Scott Britton, Head of Crystal Ski Holidays, said: “Flying from your local airport can make all the difference when planning a ski holiday, and we’re pleased to offer customers in South Wales the convenience of departing from Cardiff.

“Combined with our buy one, get one free lift pass offer that is currently running, holidaymakers can enjoy even greater value on their winter getaway.

“With flights, accommodation, transfers and expert support all included, a Crystal Ski Holiday makes getting to the mountains simple, leaving customers free to focus on enjoying their time on the slopes.”

Winter ski holidays departing from Cardiff Airport are now available to book through Crystal Ski Holidays. Customers should check the terms, availability and eligibility requirements attached to any promotional offers before booking.

Dyfed Willa Rose, who became Major Juno and the first mare to serve as a Household Cavalry Drum Horse, was laid to rest at the farm where she was born

A PIONEERING Pembrokeshire horse who made military history has been laid to rest at the farm where she was born following an emotional final homecoming.

Dyfed Willa Rose, who served with the Household Cavalry under the name Major Juno, became the first mare in history to take on the prestigious role of Drum Horse.

Family members, friends, soldiers and admirers gathered at Dyfed Shire Horse Farm to remember a horse whose journey took her from the fields beneath the Preseli Hills to the heart of major state and military ceremonies in London.

Born at the farm on May 10, 2013, Willa Rose left Pembrokeshire in 2021 to begin an intensive period of training with the Household Cavalry.

After two years of preparation, she qualified for one of the most demanding and recognisable equine roles in the British Army.

Drum horses lead military bands while carrying two large silver kettledrums, together with the weight of their rider and ceremonial equipment.

The role requires not only exceptional size and strength, but also a calm and dependable temperament. The horses must remain composed while surrounded by crowds, marching troops, music, traffic and the noise of major ceremonial occasions.

Willa Rose’s successful appointment saw her become Major Juno, the first mare to serve as a Household Cavalry Drum Horse.

Her historic achievement challenged a long-established tradition and secured her place in British military and equestrian history.

For her final journey, her cremated remains were brought back from London to Dyfed Shire Horse Farm.

The farm thanked Corporal of Horse James Harvard and the Household Cavalry team for bringing Juno home, alongside her former companion Major Perseus, who helped guide her on the last stage of her journey.

A memorial service was held in the farmyard and was introduced by Huw Carnhuan Murphy.

The service was led by Minister Sian Elin Thomas, with a eulogy celebrating Willa Rose’s life and achievements delivered by Mark Cole.

Her remains were then placed in a horse-drawn carriage pulled by her daughter, Morgana, for a final procession through the farm.

Those present described a striking silence as the carriage made its way towards the place where Willa Rose would be laid to rest.

According to an account of the ceremony shared by Whitestone Media Group, horses appeared at their stable doors and gathered along the edges of surrounding fields as the procession passed.

Willa Rose was laid to rest beneath the Preseli Hills alongside her uncle, Celt Mercury Drumhorse, and her grandmother, Dyfed Countess.

Her grandson was also present at the farm during the ceremony, providing a reminder of the bloodline and legacy she leaves behind.

In a poignant coincidence, another young horse from Dyfed Shire Horse Farm was due to be collected on the same day to begin its own journey with the Household Cavalry and start training towards becoming a Drum Horse.

The farm said the occasion had been filled with grief, emotion and immense pride in a mare whose achievements were recognised far beyond Pembrokeshire.

A tribute shared by Dyfed Shire Horse Farm said: “It was with great emotion and pride that the family, with friends from near and far, welcomed home one final time our Dyfed Willa Rose to lay her to rest on the farm of her birth.”

The farm added: “A day full of emotion, but of pride for a horse that broke the glass ceiling as the first ever mare to make Drum Horse in the Household Cavalry.

“She is now with the stars that will look down upon her from those old hills, and she will be remembered forever with love and affection both here in Pembrokeshire and, indeed, all around the world.”

Thanks were also offered to Karen Gott and Julie Davies for photographing the memorial and Willa Rose’s final journey.

Whitestone Media Group described her homecoming as the completion of an extraordinary journey which had begun in the same Pembrokeshire fields 13 years earlier.

Its tribute concluded: “Rest easy, Major Juno. You marched into history, and today, you came home.”

Cysga’n dawel, Willa Rose.