UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has cut value-added tax on electricity charges to fulfil his promise to Britons to mitigate the high cost of living, according to a statement by Downing Street on Tuesday.

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

Effective October 1, Britons will be excused from paying VAT on electricity, and the cost will be taken from the cancelled £1.8 billion digital ID programme, Downing Street said.

The ⁠digital ID programme was proposed to identify legitimate citizens from aliens and curb illegal immigration, but some lawmakers flayed the plan.

Mr Burnham said the scrapped programme will favour the British people and give them “breathing space” from the economic hardship.

“Westminster has not been working for people for too long, with families struggling with the cost of living,” the UK leader said.

“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,” he added.