Healey targets Brits’ energy costs, raids banks in first budget

LONDON — Britain’s chancellor reduced his fiscal breathing space and slapped fresh taxes on banks Wednesday as he tried to slash energy costs and show that his boss is honed in on the cost of living. Among other measures, John Healey used the first government budget under Prime Minister Andy Burnham to promise a £100 energy payment for millions of Brits over the winter — and repeatedly pointed to uncertainty stemming from war in the Middle East to justify the move. “We did not want this war,” Healey said. “We rejected calls from the leader of the opposition [Tory Leader Kemi Badenoch] to jump two-footed into it. It’s a war that has driven up costs on British families and businesses.