Full story
Burnham takes office
Andy Burnham became prime minister of the United Kingdom on Monday after Charles III entrusted him with forming a new government, replacing Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street.
Burnham arrived at Buckingham Palace and delivered his first speech as prime minister without a lectern, saying, "That is our challenge, Burnham said in his opening words."
In that opening address, Burnham said his priorities included restoring citizens trust in the government and giving them more room to breathe, referring to easing the pressures of the cost of living that weigh on Britons wallets.
He also pledged his first order would be to end the situation of so many people sleeping on the streets, and he said it was about placing the care of people at the center of everything the government does.
The handover followed Starmer’s resignation to the monarch, with Buckingham Palace saying the king was "graciously pleased to accept" it.
Promises and political reset
Burnham told people outside 10 Downing Street that he was "acutely conscious" of the perception created by the U.K. having so many prime ministers in recent years, calling it "a moment for reflection, and new resolution."
In his first public remarks, he said Britain needs to show the world there is stability and that his and his new government’s challenge is "to make politics work," adding, "We have not been good enough, and we need to be better."
The new prime minister said he would announce some measures to address the soaring costs of living as soon as Tuesday, and he described his approach as prudent about the economy.
He also framed his plan as taking power out of London and carrying it into every postcode in the land, so local areas can do more and build a new economy under stronger public control.
At the same time, the BBC reported Labour Minister Tahmina Akhter’s pledge in a different context, while the Britain coverage here focused on Burnham’s immediate agenda and the coming Cabinet appointments.
Cabinet, cost of living
On Tuesday, Burnham met with his cabinet for its first meeting and promised a cost-of-living-focused government, telling aides, "We have to think every day about what we can do to take a little bit of pressure off people."
“Andy Burnham will become UK prime minister after a meeting with King Charles III Andy Burnham is set to become the U”
In that same early push, Burnham announced a tax cut on domestic electricity bills that would save the average household about 45 pounds ($60) a year, and he said it would take effect on October 1.
The funding for that electricity measure would come from the budget for a digital ID card scheme announced by Starmer that was ultimately scrapped, according to the Independent en Español report.
The BBC also said the government would launch an immediate investigation into the Narayanganj factory fire, while in Britain coverage Burnham’s cabinet reshuffle removed Starmer loyalists and signaled a shift to the left.
In the cabinet reshuffle described by DW, John Healey replaced Rachel Reeves as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Ed Miliband took on Foreign Secretary, and Shabana Mahmood was re-elected Home Secretary.
