Andy Burnham is set to use his first speech as prime minister to promise households 'breathing room' from the cost of living, as he takes office following a rapid transition in leadership. Speaking outside 10 Downing Street later today, Mr Burnham is expected to acknowledge the scale of the challenges facing the country while calling for 'reflection and resolution'. He is also likely to highlight the need for stability after a period that has seen multiple changes in leadership, saying he is 'acutely conscious' of the number of prime ministers in recent years and pledging to restore public trust in the Government.
Plans to Ease Financial Pressures
He will also urge the country to be honest about the challenges ahead, while setting out early plans to ease financial pressures on families. Allies say the new prime minister will stress that political stability must translate into 'tangible' improvements for people, particularly through measures aimed at easing financial pressures. The speech follows a formal handover of power, with outgoing prime minister Keir Starmer expected to deliver his own remarks before travelling to Buckingham Palace to resign. Mr Burnham will then meet the King to be formally appointed.
Cabinet Appointments and Priorities
After addressing the country, Mr Burnham is expected to announce his first cabinet, although he has not confirmed who will take on key roles. Reports suggest he has been considering Ed Miliband or Shabana Mahmood for the position of chancellor. The new Prime Minister's rise to office has been rapid, coming just weeks after returning to Westminster following a by-election victory. Without a full leadership contest, he has yet to outline a detailed agenda for his time in Government.
However, he has already said he wants to devolve power away from Westminster, including plans for a new 'No 10 North' in Manchester, which he is expected to visit later this week. Mr Burnham has also signalled a shift in priorities, saying he will scrap the previous Government's digital ID programme in order to focus on the cost of living. In an interview ahead of his speech, he said he had already discussed his plans with the Treasury and stressed the importance of making people 'feel better'. He added: “So when people, they're just characterising me as a tax raiser, well again, it's never that simplistic is it? The breathing space point is a really serious one.”
Potential Measures on Energy and Thames Water
Potential measures are expected to focus on easing household bills, with reports suggesting action could be taken on energy costs. Any move to expand oil and gas drilling in the North Sea could prove controversial, with environmental campaigners urging him to stick to previous commitments and not to issue new licences. Mr Burnham may also face an early decision on the future of Thames Water, which is dealing with a £20bn debt, according to Neil Shaw from Devon Live. Creditors have indicated they are willing to discuss options with ministers, including greater public involvement, to avoid the company entering special administration.
Social Care Reform and Cross-Party Calls
Social care reform is also expected to be a priority. Mr Burnham has previously said he intends to 'expend political capital' on the issue, which has drawn calls for cross-party cooperation. Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has called for cross-party work to tackle what he described as the 'social care crisis', including stronger support for carers and protections against 'catastrophic costs'. Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has written to the new prime minister urging him to work with her party on cutting the welfare bill and to rule out tax rises. She said: “You will enter office without having set out a clear plan on any of the issues facing our country. You have refused calls to come to Parliament for questions from MPs, and you have not submitted yourself to serious media scrutiny. This is not a promising start.”
First Week Priorities
Mr Burnham's first week in office is expected to set the tone for his premiership, with a focus on economic pressures and public services as he seeks to establish a new direction for the Government.
