Burnham becomes UK PM, names Healey as chancellor, vows to bring hope
7 reported
Andy Burnham has become the UK’s sixth prime minister in a decade, succeeding Keir Starmer after Labour MPs removed him from office. In his first speech outside No 10, Burnham acknowledged that people are “fed up” with politics and promised to “bring back hope” to Britain. He announced the surprise appointment of John Healey as chancellor, with Ed Miliband becoming foreign secretary and Shabana Mahmood remaining at the Home Office. Burnham said the government will announce a cost-of-living support package on Tuesday, including cuts to energy bills and bus fares. He also spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump, inviting him to Manchester for next year’s G20 summit, and called Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen. The new prime minister said he would look at “any flexibility” within existing fiscal rules to borrow more for infrastructure but would take a “very prudent” approach to the economy.
What’s reported
Andy Burnham became UK prime minister after Labour MPs removed Keir Starmer from office.
John Healey was appointed chancellor; Ed Miliband became foreign secretary; Shabana Mahmood remained at the Home Office.
Burnham said the government will announce a cost-of-living support package on Tuesday, including cuts to energy bills and bus fares.
Burnham spoke to Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Ursula von der Leyen in his first world leader calls.
UK 10-year gilt prices dropped after Burnham’s comments on borrowing flexibility.
Burnham said his first instruction in power would be to end rough sleeping.
He suggested he could cut income tax for lower earners in a future budget but refused to rule out bringing back the 50p top rate of tax.
Key figures
Andy Burnham, new UK prime minister
John Healey, new chancellor
Ed Miliband, new foreign secretary
Shabana Mahmood, home secretary
Keir Starmer, outgoing prime minister
Rachel Reeves, former chancellor (sacked)
David Lammy, former deputy prime minister (sacked)
Louise Haigh, first secretary of state and chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster
Yvette Cooper, new health secretary
Pat McFadden, work and pensions secretary
Angela Rayner, reappointed housing secretary
Donald Trump, U.S. president
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine president
Ursula von der Leyen, EU chief
Marie-France van Heel, Burnham’s wife
Sources: The Guardian
