Andy Burnham has given his first speech as Labour leader before taking over from Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister.
The former Greater Manchester mayor was confirmed as leader in a special party conference in central London at lunchtime on Friday.
In his speech, the Makerfield MP pledged to devolve power from Westminster and Whitehall and “give back hope”.
Earlier, a delivery van was seen at Downing Street as Mr Burnham prepares to take over from Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister on Monday.
The new leader is already facing complaints from left-wing MPs over suggestions he will make Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who is on the right of the Labour party, his Chancellor.
On Friday Mr Burnham said he is still “finalising” who will be in his Cabinet, with the announcements set to be made on Monday.
Follow the latest updates below....
Key points
- Andy Burnham face's growing warning hiking "sky-high" taxes will damage London
- When will Andy Burnham become the next PM?
- Burnham faces left-wing revolt from MPs over 'bizarre' choice of Shabana Mahmood as potential Chancellor
- Who will be Andy Burnham's Chancellor?
- Burnham's Cabinet: Who could he choose and who will be demoted?
- Andy Burnham's speech in full as new Labour Party leader declares: 'I have a plan'
- Who is Marie-France van Heel? What we know about Andy Burnham's wife
- Andy Burnham pledges to devolve power away from Westminster
- Burnham insists he's not just for the north but 'for the south too'
Coverage ends
20:08 , Matt Watts
We’re ending our live coverage of today’s hugely significant day in UK politics, when Andy Burnham officially became the leader of the Labour Party.
As a result, on Monday the Makerfield MP will become the Prime Minister.
Visit Standard.co.uk through the weekend and on Monday for the latest developments.
Thanks for joining us.
Andy Burnham still deciding who will be in his Cabinet
19:04 , Matt Watts
Andy Burnham said he “finalising” who will be in his Cabinet.
Mr Burnham is to take over from Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister on Monday, when he is set to name his top team.
Asked why he had not announced his top team, the new Labour leader said: "It would be somewhat premature and would, I think, cause complete chaos if you start half a reshuffle before you're in the position."
The incoming PM went on to insist that "the decisions will be made very shortly and it will be done in the usual way".
He hit out at the "speculation", and said he wanted to first set out on Friday "what I would do, because that's what the country wants to hear".
He said: "They don't want to hear all the obsession on who's up and who's down and personalities and all the rest of it.
"There's a place for that, but not before I've set out really clearly what I intend to do in this role. And I've said it today, I have a plan, I've laid it out, and now we can then move on to those issues."
Pushed on if he genuinely has not decided who he wants in his cabinet, Burnham said: "I am finalising those decisions, and I will come to conclusions very shortly, and then I will announce those on Monday. So that's the normal way.
"People want everything earlier these days, and there's lots of speculation, but that's the orderly way to do it. And I have done it, I believe, in the right way. I'm not in the job yet, but when I am, I will do it in the proper way."
There has been widespread speculation about Burnham's cabinet picks, with Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood thought to be in the running to replace Rachel Reeves as chancellor.
Burnham vows to ‘grasp nettle’ of adult social care reform in England
18:43 , Matt Watts
Andy Burnham has vowed to “grasp the nettle” of adult social care reform – as a health charity warned his words will be “a benchmark against which his Government will be measured”.
Mr Burnham, having been formally declared Labour leader on Friday, said the “broken social care system” in England is “the worst of all worlds” and insisted it is a “massive” priority for the public.
The PM-in-waiting – who will take up his role in Number 10 on Monday – acknowledged reform will “require something difficult”, after his efforts to do so more than a decade ago failed.
His plans in 2010 to overhaul social care for the elderly with the creation of a national care service for England were turned against Labour by the Conservatives, who claimed they would levy a “death tax” to pay for it.
“The minute that poster landed with the gravestones, that was it. My reforms were dead,” Mr Burnham later admitted.
Now he has pledged to “expend political capital” during his premiership on what he said has been a long-neglected sector – accusing Westminster of having “flinched” from such big decisions for too long.
Name-checking the issue in his first speech after formally replacing Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader, he told a special conference in London on Friday: “Let’s take a problem-solving rather than a point-scoring approach.
“Let’s have the courage to fix the big things that politics has neglected, like social care, and have the conviction to go out there together and argue for our plans.”
How adult social care works and is funded in England has been a thorny issue for many governments over the years.
Unlike NHS care, social care is not free at the point of use and high costs sometimes mean people are forced to sell their homes to pay for what they need.
People with savings worth more than £23,250 are not entitled to help with the cost of care from their local council.
Watch: Nigel Farage says 'Britain is broken' as he slams Andy Burnham
18:01 , Niva Yadav
Watch the moment Nigel Farage tore into Andy Burnham at a speech he gave at the CPAC conference in London this afternoon.
The Reform UK leader called for a general election as he slammed the incoming Prime Minister.
Nigel Farage slams incoming Chancellor
17:45 , Niva Yadav
Though Andy Burnham has not yet announced his cabinet, rumours have been rife about who might move into Number 11.
But Nigel Farage has slammed the potential candidates in his speech at the CPAC conference.
Mr Farage said whether the Chancellor was Shabana Mahmood, Ed Miliband, or Rachel Reeves, Britain would “get a Chancellor who has never ever worked in private business.”
“Is it any wonder that our economy is in the depths of the trouble that it is?” he said.
You can read The Standard’s analysis of who might be the next Chancellor here:
Who will be Andy Burnham's Chancellor?
Farage claims Reform UK is 'dominant force of centre-right politics in Britain'
17:38 , Niva Yadav
Nigel Farage has claimed Reform UK is the 'dominant force of centre-right politics in Britain'.
He added that his party was the biggest in the country by membership, calling it “remarkable” that Reform had disrupted a typically two-party system.
At the CPAC conference in London, Mr Farage said he believed that Reform UK could win the next general election.
“I believe a historic upset is on the cards. I believe the British people have simply had enough of weak, gutless, spineless leadership that cares more about opinion in the international community than it cares about the collective good of the people living in this country,” he said.
Nigel Farage calls for general election
17:25 , Niva Yadav
Nigel Farage has called for a general election at the CPAC conference in London.
The Reform UK leader said: “The only good and decent and right thing to do given where we are, with a new Prime Minister coming in, that none of you have had the opportunity to vote for or against, is that there must be an immediate general election so that the country can decide the future.”
Throughout his speech, Mr Farage reiterated that Mr Burnham had come in “with absolutely no mandate of any kind at all” in what “is supposed to be one of the world’s best and oldest and most functioning democracies.”
He added that “nothing will get better under Andy Burnham”.
The Reform UK leader hit out at the incoming Prime Minister, suggesting that “on immigration, he’s never shown the slightest concern about what’s going on” and that there “was not a hope in hell” that Andy Burnham would take Britain out the ECHR.
Andy Burnham praises Starmer but says there is 'more change to bring'
17:15 , Niva Yadav
Andy Burnham has praised his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer at his first rally as Labour leader earlier this afternoon.
The incoming Prime Minister said: “He leaves a legacy of a country that will be about justice and fairness going forward, and that is a huge thing.”
But went on to say that “we’ve got much more change to bring.”
Tories argue Burnham should set out his plan in the Commons
17:10 , Niva Yadav
Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake has argued that Andy Burnham should set out his plan in the Commons.
He said: “Andy Burnham says he has a plan, so what is it? The leader of the Labour party, and soon-to-be prime minister, should come to parliament and explain it.
“Instead, the government spared his blushes by cancelling the Conservatives’ vote that would have brought him before parliament on Monday.
“It’s not too late for Andy Burnham to do the right thing, make a statement, and answer questions from Members of Parliament on Monday about his ‘plan’.
“But the truth is that, whether it is Keir Starmer or Andy Burnham, the real problem is the high-tax, high-spend Labour MPs behind them.”
'Andy Burnham looked at his notes 266 times' claims Farage
16:56 , Niva Yadav
Nigel Farage claimed that Mr Burnham looked down at his notes 266 times in his inaugural speech as Labour leader earlier today.
He suggested that a political leader incapable of “stringing a couple of sentences together might be doing the job more out of personal ambition than out of conviction and belief for the country.”
Mr Farage added that he didn’t “need to be in politics” and that he was doing this out of “fear” that Britain was “going down the drain”.
He also suggested that taxes would rise under Burnham and that the incoming Labour leader would deliver “more of the same”.
Farage calls Andy Burnham 'the great chamelon of British politics'
16:50 , Niva Yadav
Leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage has called Andy Burnham the ‘greatest chamelon of British politics’ in a blistering speech at the CPAC conference in London this afternoon.
He said: “I watched his acceptance speech earlier on today. I have to say I find the whole thing uttely vacuous
“He is the great chameleon of British politics, capable of being all things to all people.”
Mr Farage added that whoever Mr Burnham selected as Chancellor of the Exchequer, none of them would “have ever worked in private business.”
“Is it any wonder that our economy is in the depths of trouble that it is?”, he said.
Burnham denies involvement in Starmer's ousting
16:30 , Niva Yadav
On his first visit to Gravesend as leader of the Labour Party, Andy Burnham has denied any involvement in the Parliamentary Labour Party’s decision to oust Starmer.
Asked whether it was right for him to be talking about ending Labour infighting after just toppling the outgoing Prime Minister, he told reporters: “Well, there was obviously a decision taken by the PLP.
“It wasn’t by me… I wasn’t in Parliament. I wasn’t in the position to be involved in that in terms of the decisions that the PLP came to. But obviously, in politics, you have to respond to the big moments.
“The May elections were a big moment, but it was up to our Members of Parliament, and obviously I then responded.”
What are Andy Burnham's five big pledges 'to change Britain'?
16:10 , Niva Yadav
The former Manchester mayor and now incoming Prime Minister has promised “five things” he will do to change Britain for the better.
Andy Burnham insister that he had “a plan” to give people “hope back” and set a political direction that is “distinctively Labour”.
As he takes over from Sir Keir Starmer, he laid out five measures to fix Britain and the Labour Party, including building “a new politics”, bringing more industries under public ownership, and taking back power from Westminster and Whitehall.
You can read the full story here:
What are Andy Burnham's five big pledges 'to change Britain'?
Andy Burnham-backed homes tax could hit London with £7.5billion bill: How would it affect your borough?
15:34 , Megan Howe
Andy Burnham has braced wealthier people in London and other parts of Britain for tax rises as he seeks to ease the burden on the less well off.
He says he may want to “ask for a little” more in tax at some point, as he stopped short of ruling out a wealth tax, which would hit the capital particularly hard.
He has suggested that raising taxes will not be an imminent step when he takes over from Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister on Monday.
Andy Burnham-backed £7.5bn homes tax on London: How would it affect your borough?
Burnham must 'hit the ground running' says TUC general secretary
15:12 , Megan Howe
Now that Andy Burnham has been named as the new leader of the Labour party, all eyes have turned to his policy agenda and who he will appoint to Cabinet.
Mr Burnham said: “I haven’t made any decisions yet about who will be in that top team, but I will soon, and when I have, you will see it reflects all parts of our party, all communities, and it will reflect your own place within this great party of ours – a stronger, more united Labour Party lifting up a stronger and more united Britain.”
Unions urged the incoming administration to act quickly.
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “Andy Burnham’s government needs to hit the ground running and focus relentlessly on improving the living standards of working people.”
Video: What are Andy Burnham’s five core promises as new Labour leader?
14:54 , Megan Howe
Andy Burnham has set out his five core promises as the new leader of the Labour party and incoming prime minister.
Linda Hobson says it's over to Burnham to show he's the right person to deliver change
14:36 , Megan Howe
Linda Hobson, who chairs Unison’s Labour Link committee said: “Andy Burnham has earned respect across the Labour movement, and often the political divide, for his achievements.
“Now it’s over to him to show he’s the right person to deliver the party’s promise of change when Labour won its landslide in 2024.”
Video: Andy Burnham spotted dancing to New Order as he is announced as Labour leader
14:21 , Megan Howe
🚨 WATCH: Andy Burnham dances on stage to True Faith by New Order after he's announced as Labour leader pic.twitter.com/BM43XH2Ukt
— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) July 17, 2026
Burnham's speech in full
14:04 , Matt Watts
Andy Burnham today laid out his vision for Britain as he was confirmed as the Labour Party’s new leader.
The prime minister-in-waiting said there were “five things” he will do to “make us better”.
They included handing more power to regional communities and eradicating the “insidious briefing culture” that has plagued his party.
Read his speech in full below.
Andy Burnham's speech in full as new Labour Party leader declares: 'I have a plan'
Scotland and Northern Ireland's first ministers call on Burnham to respect independence questions
14:02 , Matt Watts
Scotland's First Minister John Swinney has congratulated Andy Burnham on becoming Labour leader as he called on him to respect the independence question.
“I’ll work constructively with the next Prime Minister to improve the lives of people in Scotland, but that relationship must respect the simple democratic principle that Scotland has the right to decide our future,” he wrote on X.
Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill also said she “stands ready to work constructively” with Burnham, adding that she will make the case for “our democratic right to determine our own future here on the island of Ireland”.
Plaid Cymru posted on X before Burnham's speech saying it hopes Burnham's leadership “marks the beginning of a more respectful and productive relationship between Wales and Westminster”.
“As a champion of devolution, the King of the North must now deliver on Wales’s mandate for greater powers,” the party added.
Union leader says every decision must show Burnham on side of working people
13:39 , Matt Watts
Some reaction now after Andy Burnham was confirmed as Labour leader and will become Prime Minister on Monday.
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “Andy Burnham’s government needs to hit the ground running and focus relentlessly on improving the living standards of working people.
“For too long, ordinary families have been under the cosh while the tax avoiders and super-rich have made a killing.
“Every decision and every announcement Andy Burnham makes needs to show working people he’s on their side.
“That should start with action to bring down energy bills, taxing banks’ enormous profits to pay for it, and delivering Labour’s workers’ rights agenda in full, and we need action to grow our economy to put more money in the pockets of working people.”
Linda Hobson, who chairs Unison’s Labour Link committee said: “Andy Burnham has earned respect across the Labour movement, and often the political divide, for his achievements.
“Now it’s over to him to show he’s the right person to deliver the party’s promise of change when Labour won its landslide in 2024.”
Burnham vows to 'always stay the same'
13:35 , Matt Watts
Andy Burnham said he would “stay close to the ground” and “always stay the same”.
The new Labour leader said: “I’ve given this party everything I’ve had, but now it’s done the same for me.
“I have listened and learned as I’ve gone along. You’ll be pleased to know, and hopefully, I’ve got better as a result.
“You can be sure of this. I know what I believe after 25 years as an elected Labour representative, and I know what I want to do working with you all. I have a plan.
“And what I also want you to know is that I won’t change. I have a style, it’s my style, I will always stay close to the ground, close to the people.”
He added: “I will always stay the same.”
Burnham's tribute to Labour figures who influenced career
13:33 , Matt Watts
Andy Burnham singled out Lord David Blunkett, Baroness Margaret Beckett and Lord Neil Kinnock, thanking them for their influence on his political career.
He said Lord Blunkett had been “the truest mentor to me”, and told Baroness Beckett: “You were a wonderful friend to me and guide throughout my my time in the cabinet. You were always there for me to give me that nudge that I needed.”
And turning to Lord Kinnock, he said: “He is the man that fired up a young Andy Burnham in the North West of England in the mid 1980s with rhetoric of the kind that remains unmatched, I would say, in modern politics.
“It has always been something that I treasure to get a message from him with his advice and the care and the thought he puts in to those messages. They they mean everything to me.
“I would not be standing here, I would have not have joined this great party of ours in 1985 had it not been for the legend that is Neil Kinnock.”
Burnham repeats 'hope in every heart' pledge
13:31 , Matt Watts
Andy Burnham said he wanted his Labour Party to put “hope in every heart” as he repeated the phrase he used throughout his election campaign.
He said: “I want people to say once again that Labour are ‘for us’. I want that to just fall off people’s tongues – and we can do it.
“We can be that party, the party that puts more power in people’s hands, drives good growth in every postcode and puts hope in every heart.
“That gets the country pulling together again and moves beyond the divisions of recent years, all people and all places, public and private sectors, in a new sense of unity and common cause.
“That’s my mission as your new leader, to bring back hope. I believe in all of you, and I am confident we can do it.”
After he finished his speech, Mr Burnham danced and led the audience clapping along to New Order’s True Faith.
Andy Burnham pledges to devolve power away from Westminster
12:46 , Megan Howe
Andy Burnham repeated his pledge to devolve power away from Westminster, giving people “more power over life’s essentials”.
He said: “We will take power back from Westminster and Whitehall, and give it to the place where you live – more power over life’s essentials, so you can make them work better and more affordable for people.”
He added: “We want to give your area more power to build the council and social homes that you desperately need for those families I was talking about a moment ago, more power to improve your high street, backing local businesses such as the pubs and the shops that bring them to life.
“And make no mistake, everybody, I will be a pro-business leader of the Labour Party, as I was a pro-business mayor of Greater Manchester.
“We turn places round together.”
He also reiterated his promise to ensure parity between academic and technical education and “reindustrialise” Britain.
He said: “This is it. When you add all of that together, a plan to give people more power, to bring back the hope we have all been missing too much, and people are looking for us to deliver, and we will.”
Burnham insists he's not just for the north but 'for the south too'
12:44 , Megan Howe
Burnham insists he is not just interested in the North of England and is “for the south too”.
“I'll be out and about in August, in all parts of the UK, definitely in the south. And I'm off to Gravesend later to show I'm for the south too,” he says.
'I want people to say that Labour is for us,' Burnham says
12:44 , Megan Howe
“I want people to say once again that Labour is for us, I want that to fall off people’s tongues,” he added.
Burnham finished his speech by saying he wanted to “bring back hope”, adding “I am confident that we can do it.”
Andy Burnham pledges to set a political direction that is 'distinctly Labour'
12:39 , Megan Howe
Andy Burnham pledged to set a political direction that is “distinctively Labour” instead of “doing what we’ve done in the past of wearing too many Tory clothes.”
The new party leader said: “Yes, we will work with other parties where we can, but in doing so have the clarity of knowing exactly where we stand.
“As your leader, I will set a direction that is distinctively Labour. We won’t try to outgreen the Greens or out-Reform Reform, or doing what we’ve done in the past of wearing too many Tory clothes.
“Let me tell you, I’m quite happy that Kemi doesn’t approve of my wardrobe choices, because I’m not keen on theirs either.
“From here, we do it differently. We win by being us, boldly, boldly, confidently, authentically us. Labour. That’s how we win.”
Burnham has 'not made decisions on his top team'
12:34 , Megan Howe
Burnham added: “I will lead this party in that spirit, not seeking to suspend or punish members who have principled views that may be different from mine, but building unity by respecting all shades of opinion.
“And contrary to what you may keep on reading, I haven’t made any decisions yet about who will be in that top team, but I will soon, and when I have, you will see it reflects all parts of our party, all communities, and it will reflect your own place within this great party of ours – a stronger, more united Labour Party lifting up a stronger and more united Britain.”
'I will be a leader for the north, south, east and west' says Burnham
12:33 , Megan Howe
“The right use the phrase ‘take back control’, but they are the ones who gave it away in the first place,” Burnham says.
Burnham vows to lift communities and make life more affordable.
“I will be a leader for the north, the south, the east and west. For Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland,” he added.
Burnham vows to create a party that works for working class communities
12:28 , Megan Howe
Andy Burnham said the UK does not “work for working class communities” and “turned its back on them.”
The new Labour leader said “this country does not work for working class communities like the city of my birth.”
He said: “In fact, it turned its back on them.
“Political power was used viciously against them to protect vested interests.
“Economic power cruelly stripped with the deindustrialisation of the 1980s, as it was against so many places up and down the land.”
He added: “Change starts with honesty. We must recognise that this generation of politicians, myself included, have failed to challenge a political culture and an economic model that simply doesn’t work well enough for ordinary people.”
'This is a last chance to change and we must take it together,' says Burnham
12:28 , Megan Howe
Burnham acknowledged the pressure Labour are currently under from other parties as he says “this is a last chance to change and we must take it together.”
Burnham paid tribute to Sir Keir Starmer
12:24 , Megan Howe
Burnham pays tribute to Sir Keir Starmer, saying “I am ready, ready to lead and to build on the foundation laid by one person more than any other.”
He added: “Under Keir Starmer's leadership, we went from our worst defeat to one of the best victories in our history. Kier put Labour back in a position to change people's lives, and that is what we have been doing these last two years.”
Burnham vows to get rid of party in-fighting
12:24 , Megan Howe
Burnham says he wants to build a culture of “one Labour team”, adding “change starts with us.”
He wants to get rid of in-fighting, adding “it is an indulgence which falls heaviest on those who need Labour most.”
“Today we move beyond it (factionalism). I believe a united Labour party and Labour movement is the best hope for our country.”
Burnham vows to give 'hope back' to communities across the UK
12:21 , Megan Howe
Andy Burnham vowed to give people “hope back” and said he is “ready to lead” after taking the reins of the Labour Party.
He said the country does not work for “working class communities” such as the one of his birth.
“We are united and we put the power that comes from that unity at the service of people and places who have been waiting too long for politics to let them hope again.
“That’s what we’re going to do, everybody. We’re going to give them hope back.”
'We are united today,' Burnham says as he kicks off speech
12:18 , Megan Howe
“I am ready,” Burnham says as he takes up the gauntlet as the new leader of the Labour party.
He kicked off his speech by speaking of unity and thanking Sir Keir Starmer for transforming the Labour party.
Andy Burnham named as the next leader of the Labour party
12:14 , Megan Howe
Andy Burnham has been declared the new Labour leader at a special party conference in London.
Lucy Powell says Labour will rise to the challenge to deliver change
12:12 , Megan Howe
“People are crying out for change, for hope for agency over their lives.” she added.
“I am really confident with the foundations we have laid. With our values, our ideas, our drive and with our new leader at our helm that we can rise to that challenge,” Ms Powell said.
Lucy Powell pays respects to Keir Starmer as she opens conference
12:07 , Megan Howe
“His legacy will be of the guy who helped save the Labour party,” she said.
“He took us from that historic defeat to a historic victory.”
She listed his accomplishments including ending no-fault evictions, introducing day one rights to sick pay and ending the hereditary principal in the House of Lords.
Andy Burnham arrives at conference
12:04 , Megan Howe
Burnham has greeted reporters at his special conference. He was met with a round of applause.
'This our chance to put power back to where it belongs,' says Burnham
11:52 , Megan Howe
This is our chance to put power back where it belongs.
— Andy Burnham (@andyburnham) July 17, 2026
Watch the Labour leadership announcement here 👇🏻https://t.co/QssBeUjk6n
Andy Burnham due to speak in 10 minutes
11:51 , Megan Howe
Andy Burnham will deliver his first speech as the new leader of the Labour party in the next 10 minutes.
Here’s a recap of everything he’s expected to say:
In his speech, Andy Burnham will outline a vision to move Britain onto a "new path," promising a government that is "unashamedly, authentically, and distinctively Labour".
Burnham will argue that Britain has been on the wrong path for 40 years, explicitly criticising Margaret Thatcher’s legacy by stating that "political power was centralised and economic power privatised".
He will promise a major shift in authority, focused on "driving growth in every postcode" and returning decision-making power to local communities.
Burnham’s speech will focus on tackling the cost of living, driving economic growth and reindustrialisation.
Pro-Palestine protesters gather outside of conference venue
11:43 , Megan Howe
A handful of pro-Palestine protesters gathered outside ahead of a special conference to officially make Andy Burnham Labour leader.
They held up a banner reading “stop arming Israel”.
Burnham signals intention to transform the UK
11:43 , Megan Howe
Andy Burnham signalled his intention to transform how the UK is governed shortly before he is named Labour Party leader.
He wrote on X: “The next few days are about more than changing who governs Britain.
“They’re about changing how Britain is governed.”
The former Greater Manchester mayor will take over the party’s reins from Sir Keir Starmer at around noon, before entering Downing Street on Monday.
Removal van in Downing Street as Keir Starmer prepares to leave No10
11:28 , Megan Howe
A removal van has been seen in Downing Street as Sir Keir Starmer prepares to leave No10.
The Prime Minister is stepping down with Andy Burnham to take over in the role on Monday.
Mr Burnham will be confirmed as the new Labour leader on Friday.
A van from Bishop's Move, which specialises in removals, storage and shipping, was pictured in Downing Street ahead of the confirmation.
Removal van in Downing Street as Keir Starmer prepares to leave No10
In Pictures: Removal fans arrive outside No10
11:26 , Megan Howe
Ahead of the transfer of power, removal vans have been spotted outside No10.
Wes Streeting 'spotted crying in a lift down from Burnham's Parliament office'
11:05 , Megan Howe
Wes Streeting has reportedly been spotted crying in a lift down from where Andy Burnham’s Parliament office is.
Streeting has been linked to a number of Cabinet jobs up for grabs in Andy Burnham’s government, ranging from Chancellor, Foreign Secretary, Deputy PM and Health Secretary.
Streeting has denied the claim.
He said: "Of all the bizarre speculation I’ve read in recent days, this is the best. I wasn’t even present, let alone involved. Hope my doppelgänger is ok though."
Andy Burnham's Cabinet: Who are the London MPs facing the axe from key posts or promotion?
10:33 , Megan Howe
Burnham has some tough choices to make and who ends up in what job is very hard to call.
But as the Prime Minister-in-waiting finalises his Cabinet, ahead of taking over as expected in No10 on July 20, here are the potential prospects facing senior London MPs:
Who are the London Cabinet ministers facing the axe under Andy Burnham?
Britain's shortest-serving Liz Truss claims Britain could be headed for a 'financial crisis' under Burnham
10:25 , Megan Howe
Britain’s shortest-serving prime minister, whose mini-budget sparked economic chaos and sent the pound tumbling, said “the money is going to run out”.
Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference in the US, she also said she expected there to be a new prime minister before 2029 because “I think Labour have now got the disease the Conservative Party had of thinking the issue is with the team manager”.
“I’m not saying Keir Starmer is a genius or anything, I’m just saying he’s not the only problem, and I think that they will tire of Burnham, and they will bring someone else in, and they will lose.”
Asked how bad she thought things could get under Mr Burnham, she said: “I think we could definitely be headed for a financial crisis. There is no money.
“This is the big failing of the Labour Party is that they spent years and years saying the Conservatives weren’t spending enough money, whereas in fact we were spending too much money and not generating enough growth, and now they’ve made the problem even worse, so the money is going to run out.”
What are the biggest challenges facing Andy Burnham?
10:18 , Megan Howe
As Andy Burnham takes over as the leader of the Labour Party and prepares to enter 10 Downing Street as the Prime Minister, his five biggest policy challenges which have been outlined by the BBC are:
Welfare: Burnham needs to cut a massive £58 billion sickness and disability benefit bill. Instead of slashing payments or altering eligibility rules, Burnham aims to downsize claimant numbers through enhanced employment training and mental health support.
Defence: Burnham will need to manage a £9 billion annual funding black hole to reach defence spend milestones. The Defence Investment Plan inherited from Keir Starmer means finding £4.7 billion in savings in the next budget alone.
Social care: Burnham will need to reform a social care system that currently has around two million elderly citizens facing unmet care requirements.
Housing targets: Overcoming stagnation in housebuilding. Burnham hopes a massive municipal council housebuilding boom and using the new regional planning frameworks under the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 will spark growth, but developers and regional bodies will need time to adjust.
Video: Andy Burnham meets people in Cardiff as he answers their questions
10:01 , Megan Howe
When I said I was going to do politics differently, I meant it.
— Andy Burnham (@andyburnham) July 16, 2026
Yesterday I spent a couple of hours in Cardiff city centre inviting people to ask me anything about my plans for the UK. pic.twitter.com/AsPKTN0cTG
Burnham wants to 'shake things up' says Liverpool City Region Retro Metro Mayor
09:52 , Megan Howe
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Steve Rotheram says: "If people believe that Andy Burnham is being made the prime minister so that he can communicate the same message just in a better way or a better form, then they're absolutely deluded."
"Andy wants to go in there and he wants to shake things up."
Burnham will offer 'semi-skimmed version' of Green Party policies, says Polanski
09:48 , Megan Howe
Zack Polanski said Andy Burnham was offering a “semi-skimmed” version of Green Party policies.
Speaking to Sky News, the Green leader said: “What I think we’re seeing now in speedrun is what does a Labour government look like with supposedly their best leader?
“And I think we’re still going to see a party where inequality gets wider, where we’ve seen them apologise for Labour’s history in Gaza, but he’s still not signalled that he’s going to stop selling arms to Israel.
“So I think again and again we’re going to hear rhetoric which is more in line with what the Green Party are saying.
“But why have semi-skimmed when you could come to the Green Party and actually have the full version, where we’re both saying and doing things?”
Who is Marie-France van Heel? Everything we know about Andy Burnham's wife and their family life
09:47 , Megan Howe
Like the “first lady” before her, Lady Victoria Starmer, Ms Van Heel is equally as private and has stayed out of the limelight throughout her husband’s political career.
But as she steps through the doors of No.10, she will soon be the name on everyone’s lips.
So, who is the Prime Minister in-waiting’s wife? And what do we know about Andy Burnham’s family life?
Who is Marie-France van Heel? Everything we know about Andy Burnham's wife and family
Burnham declines to rule out a wealth tax
09:33 , Megan Howe
Andy Burnham has declined to rule out a wealth tax and suggested the Government “might be having to ask for a little more” at some point.
The prime minister-in-waiting did not commit to a change but said the UK needed a “greater sense of fairness”.
On the the prospect of a wealth tax, he said in an interview with Gary Lineker for Goalhanger: “I’m going to obviously take my time to properly look at the state of things, particularly the state of finances.
“I’m not going rule things out right now. I do believe we need a greater sense of fairness and people feeling that things are being done in the right way and a fair way. But at the same time, you know, I don’t want to sort of be perceived as somebody who’s coming in with grudges and agendas and, you know, going to just immediately find or demonise one group or create a new way of dividing people.”
He added: “So, you know, decisions to be taken in time, they’re going to be difficult. I’m not going to shy away from that. You know, we are going to have to work quite hard to make sure, you know, we can pay our way.
“And at some point that might be having to ask for a little more. But, you know, those decisions are not for now. They’re for another day.”
What will Andy burnham's relationship be like with US President Donald Trump?
09:10 , Megan Howe
Andy Burnham indicated he would be willing to disagree with Donald Trump but would try to “meet him where he’s at” while “respecting the office”.
The prime minister-in-waiting told Gary Lineker in an interview for Goalhanger: “Maybe in a similar way to the way I’ve just described, I’ll just meet him where he’s at. And, you know, I like to think I’ve got some personality myself and I’ll just, you know, I’ll deal with him very upfront in the same way. I think he likes people to deal with him.
“He described Manchester as some town when he was referring to my position. And I might have to, you know what Mancs are like, Gary, that won’t have gone down fantastically well in the city I used to represent.
“But yeah, you know, it’s about being yourself, isn’t it? It’s about respecting the office, the relationship, the UK-US relationship. But, you know, where you disagree, do it, but do it in a way that is kind of meeting him where he’s at.”
Burnham faces left-wing revolt from MPs over 'bizarre' choice of Shabana Mahmood as potential Chancellor
09:10 , Megan Howe
Andy Burnham faces a left-wing revolt from Labour MPs if he appoints Shabana Mahmood as Chancellor.
Labour backbenchers claim that Mahmood is a “bizarre” choice, given that she has never held an economic cabinet role and has no articulated fiscal vision.
Several MPs have questioned whether Mahmood is aligned with Burnham’s policies and suggested other choices for Burnham including the current Energy Secretary Ed Miliband or Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
“I would understand Yvette or even Wes. But Shabana is a bizarre choice,” said one senior Labour figure.
“She’s more divisive than Ed, presents controversial policy as a fait accompli in contrast to how Andy wants to work, is a natural centraliser, and has no economic credentials or vision – risking Treasury capture and market credibility.”
Another disappointed Burnham ally said: “It’s a litmus test: if you’re serious about rolling back 40 years of neoliberalism and you want someone who’s intellectually in tune with that and capable of doing it, Ed’s your candidate.”
Burnham faces growing warning hiking "sky-high" taxes will damage London
09:01 , Megan Howe
Gareth Bacon MP, Shadow Minister for London, said:"After two years of a Labour Government in Westminster and a decade of Sadiq Khan at City Hall, Londoners already face sky-high taxes that are driving people and businesses out of our city.
“Any new wealth tax proposed by Andy Burnham would only exacerbate this. We cannot allow that to happen."Only the Conservatives, under Kemi Badenoch's leadership, have the team, the plan and the resolve to cut taxes and Get London Working Again."
Sadiq Khan given peerage by Sir Keir Starmer
08:56 , Megan Howe
In other political news, the outgoing PM has made the London Mayor a peer in one of his last acts before leaving Parliament.
The London Mayor is on a list of 26 new members of the House of Lords issued by Downing Street.
A Government source said: “Sadiq has been a brilliant mayor who has transformed London for the better, so this is thoroughly deserved.
“He has cut violent crime to record lows, cleaned up the capital’s air, delivered the Elizabeth Line and got London building council homes again.”
Read more here:
Sadiq Khan given peerage by Keir Starmer - sparking immediate row
Burnham's Cabinet: Who could he choose and who will be demoted?
08:39 , Megan Howe
Andy Burnham has vowed to deliver major reforms in how Britain is governed.
If he wants to send a strong signal of “change”, he will need to appoint some new faces to his Cabinet.
The former Greater Manchester Mayor is expected to promote more MPs from the North West and other regions to key posts, while some key figures in the current Labour government may not be given a role in Cabinet.
No final decisions have yet been made.
Here’s everything we know.
Shabana Mahmood: The current Home Secretary is the frontrunner to be the next Chancellor. However, no final decisions have been made yet.
Ed Miliband: Initially widely tipped as the successor to Reeves, reporting suggests Burnham’s allies have pushed back on appointing the Energy Secretary to the Treasury. Critics say he comes with too much political baggage.
Wes Streeting & Miatta Fahnbulleh: Both London-based MPs are expected to secure prominent roles, although it’s not yet clear what those will be. Streeting is being discussed as a potential candidate for Home Secretary if Mahmood switches roles.
Angela Rayner: Poised for a major comeback. She is rumoured to be taking on a top gig, potentially Home Secretary, although this has not been confirmed.
Yvette Cooper: Positioned as a strong continuity option. She is expected to either maintain her Foreign Secretary brief or transfer to the Treasury.
Rachel Reeves: Conceded she will not remain as Chancellor and faces demotion or exiting the Cabinet entirely.
Lucy Powell: Tipped for the gig as Deputy Leader, Education or Housing.
Lisa Nandy: The current Culture Secretary could be getting a promotion, with her eyes reportedly on the Education brief.
Who will be Andy Burnham's Chancellor?
08:16 , Megan Howe
Shabana Mahmood is the frontrunner to become the next Chancellor when Andy Burnham officially becomes Prime Minister next week.
The Home Secretary has emerged as favourite to move into Number 11 Downing Street.
Those on the Labour left had pushed for Ed Miliband to get the role in a row that has divided Mr Burnham’s supporters.
However, while Mr Burnham's team insist no final decisions have yet been made, it was thought the current Energy Secretary would be a target for criticism.
Read more from our Chief Political Correspondent.
Who will be Andy Burnham's Chancellor?
When will Andy Burnham become the next PM?
08:03 , Megan Howe
Andy Burnham will officially become the Prime Minister of the UK on Monday.
He quickly emerged as the overwhelming favourite to succeed Sir Keir Starmer following his resignation.
The former Greater Manchester mayor will become leader of the Labour party today, while the handover of power continues over the weekend.
Here’s what we can expect over the next few days...
• Monday Morning: Sir Keir Starmer will travel to Buckingham Palace to formally tender his resignation to King Charles
• Monday Midday: King Charles will meet with Burnham and invite him to form a new government
• Monday Afternoon: Burnham will officially assume office as the UK's 59th Prime Minister and deliver his first speech outside 10 Downing Street
What has Sir Keir Starmer said about his successor?
07:55 , Megan Howe
Outgoing prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said Andy Burnham had his “wholehearted support”, as he wants the next Labour government to be a success.
The PM previously admitted that “one of the failings” of his administration had been to set out a “simple and accessible vision for Britain’s future”.
Sir Keir said the Labour Party was “the vehicle for social justice” in the country, although he it acknowledged it “can be a frustrating” one.
“But remove it and the forces of reaction, conservatism and grievance are free to turn Britain against itself unhindered,” he said.
“There is always some truth to that sweeping statement, but right now it feels a more urgent fight – a battle for the soul of the nation, as I have said elsewhere.
“It is a fight my successor must now lead and I wish them the very best in their endeavours.
“It is vital they succeed and they will do so with a strong foundation to build upon.”
What will Andy Burnham pledge in his speech today?
07:51 , Megan Howe
Andy Burnham will pledge to take the UK down a "new path" with a government that is "unashamedly Labour in our priorities" during his official coronation speech as the new Labour leader today.
Returning to Westminster as the MP for Makerfield, the former Greater Manchester mayor will formally be confirmed as Sir Keir Starmer's successor at a special party conference in London before taking over as Prime Minister on Monday.
Here’s a breakdown of what we can expect from the speech:
Undoing Thatcher’s legacy: He will argue that Britain took “wrong turns” in the 1980s under Thatcher’s government when economic power was privatised.
Increase public control: Burnham will advocate for greater public ownership and control over certain public sectors, which could potentially include the nationalisation of water companies.
Cost of living: Burnham will address the sky-high cost of living with plans to make every day bills and transport expenses an immediate priority. This could include reducing house costs by freezing private sector rents.
Devolution: As mentioned previously, Burnham plans to establish a ‘No10 North’ output in Manchester, taking powers away from Westminster to build greater regional growth.
Cross-party unity: Burnham wants to create a Britain that is unified. He wants to focus on practical decisions rather than internal division, which may involve working with other parties.
Andy Burnham to pledge to become 'unashamedly Labour' as he becomes party leader on Friday.
07:35 , Megan Howe
Andy Burnham is set to deliver a speech today outlining his vision for the future of the Labour Party ahead of becoming its new leader.
The speech comes ahead of Sir Keir Starmer's departure from the role later this week, following his final Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday.
In his address, Burnham will promise to be “unashamedly Labour” and to have the “courage to fix the big things that politics has neglected” and the “conviction to argue for our plans”.
The former Greater Manchester mayor, who returned to Westminster last month as the MP for Makerfield, will be confirmed as Labour leader at a special conference before entering No 10 on Monday.
He will set out plans for economic renewal, more public control and reindustrialisation.
Stay tunes as we bring you all the updates from No10.
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