Rayner given old job back under Burnham

Angela Rayner has been reappointed as Housing Secretary less than a year after The Telegraph revealed she had failed to pay £40,000 in stamp duty.

Andy Burnham gave Ms Rayner her old job back as part of an extensive reshuffle which saw him purge allies of Sir Keir Starmer and hand John Healey the keys to No 11.

Appointing Mr Healey meant he did not have to choose between Shabana Mahmood and Ed Miliband, who had been at the centre of a bitter briefing war over who would become his Chancellor.

Ms Mahmood will instead keep her job as Home Secretary while Mr Miliband will become Foreign Secretary.

Wes Streeting was unveiled as the new Defence Secretary late on Monday night after spending hours in No 10.

The Cabinet

Who's who in Burnham's government

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Louise Haigh, who was forced to quit as transport secretary after details of her historical fraud conviction emerged, has been brought back into the Cabinet as First Secretary of State.

The position effectively makes her Mr Burnham’s right-hand woman and she will be responsible for enforcing his will across Whitehall.

Other Burnham allies rewarded with Cabinet jobs include Anneliese Midgley, who will become Chief Whip, Lucy Powell, who will become Education Secretary, and Miatta Fahnbulleh, who will succeed Mr Miliband as Energy Secretary.

Ms Rayner’s appointment is a remarkable comeback for the former deputy prime minister, who quit just 10 months ago following this newspaper’s investigation into her tax affairs.

In May, she revealed that HM Revenue and Customs found no deliberate wrongdoing or carelessness over her tax affairs, and she had settled her bill.

She had been rumoured to be considering launching her own leadership challenge, but instead threw her support behind Mr Burnham.

Mr Burnham began the reshuffle by sacking close allies of Sir Keir including Rachel Reeves, the former chancellor, David Lammy, the former justice secretary, Steve Reed, the former housing secretary, and Lord Hermer, the former attorney general.

Mr Healey, who quit as defence secretary last month over Sir Keir’s failure to commit to spending three per cent of Britain’s GDP on the military by 2035, is expected to be tasked with finding billions more for the Armed Forces.

In his first speech outside Downing Street, the new Prime Minister pledged that his government would be a “circuit breaker for Britain” with a “new economic model” and announced he would spend £340m to end rough sleeping during the next five years.

He later told reporters he was considering rent controls and indicated he would be willing to increase taxes to fund a national social care service, possibly with a new death duty that could replace inheritance tax.

That’s it for tonight

Thank you for joining us today.

We understand from No 10 that there will be no more appointments this evening. So if you’re still waiting for Andy Burnham to call you and offer you a plum brief, you’d be better off getting some beauty sleep.

But as of tonight we do have a new Prime Minister, a new Chancellor, and a new Foreign Secretary. 

Here is everything you need to know after a mammoth day in Westminster:

• Burnham pins hopes on Chancellor Healey
• The Cabinet: Who’s in and who’s out?
• Analysis: Why Healey is a shrewd choice
• Tim Stanley: Our Andy’s odyssey has all the makings of an epic fail

Bryant made NI Secretary

Chris Bryant has been made the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. 

The Rhondda and Ogmore MP and former minister for trade and labour was announced by Andy Burnham several hours after he was seen going in to No 10.

Meanwhile, Kanishka Narayan has been appointed as Minister for Artificial Intelligence jointly in the Cabinet Office and the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.

Heidi Alexander stays on at Department of Transport

Heidi Alexander will stay on as the Transport Secretary, No 10 has confirmed.

Ms Alexander is a loyal ally of Mr Burnham and previously voted for him in Labour leadership races in 2010 and 2015.

In a flurry of appointments this evening, Stephen Kinnock was made Secretary of State for Wales, Emma Reynolds was appointed as Chief Secretary to the Treasury (and will attend Cabinet), and Baroness Smith will remain as Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Lords.

Alan Campbell will stay as Leader of the House of Commons, Matthew Pennycook stays as Minister for Housing and Planning, and Douglas Alexander has been reappointed as Secretary of State for Scotland.

Trump hopes to meet Burnham ‘very soon’

Donald Trump says he hopes to meet Andy Burnham “very soon” after the pair spoke on the phone on Monday.

The US president posted on Truth Social that he had a “very good conversation” with the new prime minister and said Mr Burnham had a “big job ahead of him”.

Mr Trump said: “I had a very good conversation with the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Andy Burnham. 

“We discussed many subjects, including the outstanding relationship we have had with the UK. 

“We will be meeting in the not too distant future for topics of mutual interest.”

He added: “The Prime Minister has got a big job ahead of him, but he will be able to do it and, of course, the U.S.A. will be there to help! We discussed North Sea Oil, Trade, the Military Alliance, Demining of the Hormuz Strait, and many other topics. The call was interesting, and went very well. I wished Prime Minister Burnham, GOOD LUCK AND GODSPEED!”

Reeves’s sister in Cabinet as former Chancellor is left out in the cold

Rachel Reeves’s sister has been promoted to the Cabinet on the same day the former Chancellor lost her job.

Ellie Reeves will take over as Attorney General, succeeding Starmer-loyalist Lord Hermer, in a role that is not a Cabinet ministerial post but requires her to attend Cabinet meetings.

Earlier on Monday, Rachel Reeves resigned from the Cabinet to return to the back benches. It was reported that she rejected a more junior role in Mr Burnham’s government.

Phillipson ‘proud’ despite demotion

Bridget Phillipson has insisted she is “proud” to remain in the Cabinet despite being stripped of the education brief.

Ms Phillipson will stay on as minister for women and equalities, which has been raised to a Cabinet role.

Lucy Powell will replace her as Education Secretary.

Posting on X, Ms Phillipson said she would be working on a “serious agenda”.

“Proud to be asked to continue in Cabinet, driving forward the work of the Office for Equality and Opportunity,” Ms Phillipson said. “ I will work across government to make progress on this serious agenda – on violence against women and girls, on equal pay, on child poverty.”

Miatta Fahnbulleh becomes Net Zero Secretary

Miatta Fahnbulleh has been appointed Net Zero Secretary, as Andy Burnham rewarded a key ally with a Cabinet-level post.

Ms Fahnbulleh will take over from Ed Miliband as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Dame Angela Eagle, a former Home Office minister, has become Environment Secretary. Alex Norris, another former Home Office minister, has been appointed Justice Secretary.

Wes Streeting appointed Defence Secretary

Wes Streeting has been appointed Defence Secretary as he makes a return to Cabinet under Andy Burnham.

The former health secretary resigned from Sir Keir Starmer’s government after telling him he had lost confidence in his leadership, and was preparing to run for the top job himself.

However, after Mr Burnham’s momentum became clear, Mr Streeting decided not to launch a bid and to throw his support behind Mr Burnham instead.

He was been handed the job of Defence Secretary, navigating the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) and how to increase defence spending.

Powell: Education most important job in government

Lucy Powell has said she is “thrilled” to be given the role of Education Secretary.

The new Cabinet minister said there was “no more important job for any government than making sure young people have the best education, the best opportunities and the best future they can”.

Andy Burnham speaks to European Council president

Andy Burnham has spoken with Antonio Costa, the president of the European Council, one of the biggest institutions of the European Union.

In a readout of their call, a Downing Street spokesman said: “The Prime Minister spoke to Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, this evening.

“The Prime Minister began by underlining the importance of creating a stronger Europe through a closer UK-EU relationship.

“That included working together on shared challenges such as defence and security and driving growth across the UK and Europe.

“They both agreed their respective teams would work closely towards a UK-EU summit later in the year.”

Lisa Nandy keeps job as Culture Secretary

Lisa Nandy has kept her job as Culture Secretary, becoming the third Cabinet minister to retain their brief.

Ms Nandy was confirmed as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Only Ms Nandy, Pat McFadden and Shabana Mahmood have held onto their jobs as Mr Burnham takes over from Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street.

She told reporters she was “very” happy with her job as she left Downing Street smiling on Monday evening.

Ms Nandy was rumoured to be up for a promotion, but she will keep her role as Culture Secretary.

Rayner: I return with renewed drive and determination

Angela Rayner has said that she is returning to Government with “renewed drive and determination to put power back in people’s hands” after she was reappointed as Housing Secretary.

Andy Burnham has given Ms Rayner her old job back, after she was forced to resign following a Telegraph investigation into her tax affairs.

Ms Rayner said on X:

Healey as Chancellor shows ‘intent’ on defence spending, Burnham tells Nato chief

Andy Burnham has told Mark Rutte, the Nato secretary general, that his decision to appoint John Healey as Chancellor is a “signal of his intent” on defence spending.

The Prime Minister spoke to Mr Rutte on Monday night, and the pair discussed Britain’s ongoing support for Ukraine.

Mr Healey resigned from Sir Keir Starmer’s government last month amid a row over defence spending, as he declared the Treasury was “unwilling” to make the money available for Britain to meet its defence spending target.

In a readout of the call, a Downing Street spokesman said: “Updating on the appointment of the former defence secretary, John Healey, as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Prime Minister said the appointment was a signal of his intent.”

Mr Burnham also spoke to Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, on the telephone.

The pair discussed their “ambition to increase cooperation” and discussed Ukraine.

Pictured: Environment Secretary enters No 10

Lucy Powell becomes Education Secretary

Lucy Powell has been appointed Education Secretary by Andy Burnham.

The deputy Labour leader, who worked closely with Mr Burnham while he was the city’s mayor, has been given the education brief.

Bridget Phillipson will only retain her women and equalities brief, but the role will be made a Cabinet position.

Jonathan Reynolds returns as Business Secretary

Jonathan Reynolds has been promoted to Business Secretary by Andy Burnham.

The former chief whip has been given his old brief back after the Prime Minister sacked Peter Kyle, a Starmer loyalist.

The Department for Business and Trade will also be renamed the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST), assuming several policy areas previously held under the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

Anneliese Midgley, a close ally of Mr Burnham’s, has been made Chief Whip.

Angela Rayner reappointed as Housing Secretary

Angela Rayner has been given her old job back, as Andy Burnham appointed her as his Housing Secretary.

Ms Rayner resigned from Sir Keir Starmer’s Cabinet last September following a Telegraph investigation into her tax affairs, which revealed she had failed to pay £40,000 in stamp duty.

The Housing Secretary played a key role in the Renters’ Rights Act.

Iceland boss quits as cost of living tsar

Lord Walker of Broxton has quit as the Government’s cost of living tsar, after Andy Burnham became Prime Minister.

The Iceland Foods boss has left his job as “cost of living champion” a day before the Prime Minister is expected to set out measures to tackle the issue, The Times reported.

Sir Keir Starmer had appointed Lord Walker in February to tackle cost of living across government.

Heidi Alexander arrives at Downing Street

Heidi Alexander has arrived at Downing Street as Andy Burnham continues with his Cabinet appointments.

The Transport Secretary had been a long-time supporter of Mr Burnham’s, having previously voted for him in Labour leadership races in 2010 and 2015.

Angela Eagle and Alex Norris, Home Office ministers, have also arrived at No 10.

Several figures, including Lucy Powell and Angela Rayner, appear still not to have left Downing Street and have not had their appointments unveiled.

Wes Streeting arrives at Downing Street

Wes Streeting has arrived at No 10 as Andy Burnham continues his Cabinet reshuffle.

The former health secretary fired the starting gun on the Labour leadership contest when he quit the Cabinet in the aftermath of May’s local elections, but rowed in behind Mr Burnham after he won the Makerfield by-election. 

Mr Streeting was rumoured to be in the running for defence secretary, but it remains unclear what role he will get.

He was seen arriving in Downing Street shortly before Burnham ally Miatta Fahnbulleh, who is expected to be promoted after helping Mr Burnham with his leadership campaign.

Andy Burham discusses Ukraine and Iran on call with Macron

Andy Burnham has vowed to continue working on the Coalition of the Willing with Emmanuel Macron, in his first phone call with the French president.

In a read-out of the exchange, a Downing Street spokesman said both leaders also discussed the need for “de-escalation” in the Middle East and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

“Turning to Ukraine, the two leaders discussed the need to work together to continue supporting Ukraine as it resists Russia’s full-scale invasion, including through co-chairing the Coalition of the Willing.”

They added: “They also discussed continuing the UK and France’s close cooperation on energy and defence, and the Prime Minister paid tribute to President Macron for his efforts to bring the Bayeux Tapestry to the UK, which underlined the UK and France’s enduring friendship.”

John Healey fails to rule out raising tax to fund defence

John Healey has failed to rule out increasing tax to fund defence in his first interview as Chancellor.

Mr Healey said that fiscal credibility was “the bedrock for economic stability and national security” and reiterated Andy Burnham’s commitment to increasing defence spending.

Asked whether taxes might rise to reach the goal of spending 3 per cent of GDP on defence by 2030, he said: “Fiscal control is the first duty of any chancellor, it is mine.

“And fiscal credibility is the bedrock for economic stability and national security, and you heard the Prime Minister this afternoon say in this more dangerous world, we will meet our commitments on defence to our international allies.”

Yvette Cooper declares maternity services and social care priorities as Health Secretary

Yvette Cooper has said that she will be “working urgently” to improve maternity services and reform social care in her role as Health Secretary.

The former foreign secretary paid tribute to “fellow foreign ministers from across the world” for their work for Ukraine, Palestine and Sudan.

In a statement after being made Health Secretary, Ms Cooper said: “It’s a real honour to be appointed Health Secretary by Andy Burnham – 27 years after I worked on the first NHS Cancer Plan as a junior health minister.

“I’m looking forward to working urgently to improve maternity services, to take forward plans for social care, and to once again play a part in supporting our National Health Service, Labour’s proudest achievement.

“Most of all I’m looking forward to working with the dedicated NHS staff, carers, healthcare professionals and volunteers on whom we all depend.”

Sketch: Our Andy’s odyssey has all the makings of an epic fail

Andy Burnham’s odyssey is over. He has captured his kingdom. The suitors are vanquished. And he’s wearing a suit! Tim Stanley writes.

Fears that Our Andy would storm into No 10 in a Crowded House T-shirt were unfounded. In the event, he spoke before the world’s press in a jacket and tie but with no lectern – almost naked from the waist down – marking a sad end to the career of Hot Podium Guy.

Mr Muscles was the only good appointment Liz Truss made. I’m told the extensive auditions ate into time she meant to spend on the Budget.

Why no podium? Well, having watched six PMs give the same speech in 10 years – Burnham’s words – he clearly thought, “their biggest mistake was to use a lectern”, and removing it would be the radical “circuit-breaker” our nation so desperately needs.

Read the rest of Tim Stanley’s sketch here

Pat McFadden repeats commitment to welfare reform

Pat McFadden has pledged to “reform the welfare system” under Andy Burnham after it was confirmed he would stay in post as Work and Pensions Secretary.

Mr McFadden said the Government’s mission “must be to support people into work and spread opportunity”.

His private complaint that “every meeting I have is ‘who can we tax in order to pay benefits to others’” was made public in the Mandelson files last month.

Comment: Convicted fraudster Louise Haigh has no place in any Cabinet

“You have to hand it to Andy Burnham. If he had set out to pick some of the most unsuitable possible candidates for senior roles in his government then he could hardly have come up with a better Cabinet,” Stephen Pollard writes.

“As if the idea of Ed Miliband, the man who as Labour leader whipped his MPs to vote against military action against Assad, as Foreign Secretary wasn’t bad enough, Burnham has chosen a convicted fraudster to be First Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office.

“Louise Haigh, you will remember, was forced to resign from Sir Keir Starmer’s Cabinet in November 2024 when it was revealed that she had a fraud conviction. She had pleaded guilty to committing a fraud in relation to a police investigation over a mobile phone she claimed was stolen just six months before she was elected as an MP in 2015. Ms Haigh said later that it had been a “genuine mistake”. Whatever her explanation, the facts are that she committed fraud, had to resign – and has now been brought back by Burnham.”

Read Stephen Pollard’s piece in full here

Miliband: I will work to deepen Britain’s ties with the EU

Ed Miliband has declared that he will seek to “deepen and strengthen” Britain’s relationship with the European Union.

The Foreign Secretary said the EU was “so important for our prosperity and security” and that he would use his new role to develop ties with the bloc.

Mr Miliband also said that he would carry on the faith of his parents, who had fled the Nazis, in Britain as “both a sanctuary and a beacon of hope in the global fight against fascism”.

In a statement, he said: “I will seek to deepen and strengthen our strategic alliance with the European Union, which is so important for our prosperity and security, and at the same time nurture our strong, enduring and essential alliance with the United States.”

He also declared that he would be at the “forefront” of tackling the global climate crisis and international development.

Yvette Cooper becomes Health Secretary

Yvette Cooper has been appointed Health Secretary by Andy Burnham.

The former foreign secretary has been given the health and social care brief, one which Andy Burnham has already signalled will be a key focus of his premiership.

There had been speculation that Angela Rayner could take on the job, or Wes Streeting could reprise the role after resigning from Sir Keir Starmer’s Cabinet.

Pat McFadden will stay on as Work and Pensions Secretary, continuing his work on welfare reform.

Mr McFadden’s private complaint that “every meeting I have is ‘who can we tax in order to pay benefits to others’” was made public in the Mandelson files last month.

Kemi Badenoch: Healey can ensure defence investment plan is ‘properly funded’

Kemi Badenoch has called on John Healey to ensure the defence investment plan (DIP) is “properly funded” in his role as Chancellor.

The Conservative Party leader congratulated Mr Healey, who resigned from Sir Keir Starmer’s government because of a row about defence spending, for his new job under Andy Burnham.

She said the Conservatives would work with him to fund defence by cutting the welfare bill.

Tory Lords plot to force Burnham to set out policy plans before recess

Andy Burnham could be forced to set out his policy plans in front of Parliament this week, as Tory peers plot to haul one of his ministers in front of the House of Lords.

Lord True, the Conservative Lords leader, has put down a Business of the House motion, which will be voted on tomorrow, to force the Government to set out plans in the upper chamber.

The mechanism has only been used by the Lords opposition twice before, and would force a Lords minister to appear before peers on Wednesday to answer questions about Mr Burnham’s policies.

In a letter, seen by The Telegraph, Lord True told peers that Mr Burnham had “avoided parliamentary scrutiny”.

“While the House of Commons has adjourned for the summer recess, the House of Lords is sitting. Ministers should come to Parliament and make a statement in the House of Lords regarding His Majesty’s Government’s policies.”

Mr Burnham had not planned to set out policies in Parliament until September, giving him weeks to develop his plans before appearing in front of the Commons.

Two senior Labour women walk into No 10

Lucy Powell and Bridget Phillipson have both been seen walking up to the front door of No 10, as Andy Burnham continues to make his Cabinet appointments at pace.

As the deputy Labour leader and MP for Manchester Central, Ms Powell has been a close friend and ally to Mr Burnham since his time as the mayor of Greater Manchester.

Ms Phillipson, the Education Secretary, is on the party’s Left and has overseen the policy of implementing VAT on private schools and the removal of the two-child benefit cap.

Burnham’s Cabinet: Who’s in and who’s out?

Andy Burnham has begun appointing his Cabinet after entering Downing Street as Prime Minister.

As he continues to make new appointments at pace, The Telegraph has been keeping track of who is in and who is out of the Burnham administration. 

The Prime Minister has already unveiled his new Chancellor, Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State. 

Here is the full list of who is in, who is out, and who has been moved so far.

Anneliese Midgley enters No 10

Anneliese Midgley has become the latest ally of Andy Burnham to enter 10 Downing Street.

Ms Midgley only entered the Commons in 2024 but has long been an influential figure in Labour and worked closely with Louise Haigh, the new First Secretary of State, on Mr Burnham’s campaign in Makerfield.

She has been tipped to become chief whip for the new Government, in which the Prime Minister wants to transform the Whips’ Office into something akin to a human resources department.

Tories attack Haigh over fraud conviction

The Conservatives have launched an attack advert after Andy Burnham appointed Louise Haigh as First Secretary of State.

Ms Haigh pleaded guilty to fraud by misrepresentation in 2014. She told Sir Keir Starmer about the conviction before her appointment to the Cabinet, but it was kept from the public.

The new First Secretary claimed that she had reported her work phone as stolen after she had been mugged on a night out in 2013, only to later find it in her drawer. When she switched the phone on, an alert was sent to her employer, Aviva, which referred the case to the police.

Court documents made public at the start of 2025 revealed that she had admitted to lying about the loss of her BlackBerry so that her employer would replace it with an iPhone.

Mahmood: Home Secretary the best job in the business

Shabana Mahmood has vowed to “finish the job” as she declared that she was delighted to stay on as Home Secretary.

She had been tipped for a move to the Treasury but Andy Burnham has kept her in post at the Home Office.

Calling the appointment “an honour”, Ms Mahmood said: “I may be biased, but it’s the best job in the business.

“We have begun the work of major reform, to make our streets safer and our immigration system fair for all. Now let’s finish the job.”

‘Mahmood will now finish the job’

Shabana Mahmood told Andy Burnham that she wanted to remain as Home Secretary to see through her immigration and policing reforms.

It is understood she was never offered the job of chancellor despite speculation that she had been a front-runner for the post at the Treasury.

Officials within the Home Office were said to be delighted that she was staying amid growing optimism that the Government is starting to get a grip on small boat crossings, which are down 40 per cent year on year, and reversing trends of violence and knife crimes.

A source close to the Home Secretary said: “Mahmood has been clear throughout this process her desire to remain Home Secretary. During her first nine months, she has announced the largest reforms to the immigration system and policing in modern times.

“Progress is already being made. Net migration is down 82 per cent. Asylum claims reduced. Nearly 70,000 of those without a right to be here removed. The deportation of foreign national offenders is up by a third. Over 3,000 more neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs [police community support officers] on our streets. Knife homicides have collapsed by a quarter.

“Mahmood will now finish the job to make our streets safer and our immigration system fair for all.”

Jonathan Reynolds expected to take major role

Jonathan Reynolds is expected to take on a significant role in Andy Burnham’s administration.

Mr Reynolds, the Chief Whip, entered Downing Street a few moments ago, and has been tipped to lead a beefed-up Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

He served as business secretary during the first year of Sir Keir Starmer’s administration, only to be moved to the Whips’ Office last September.

He had been succeeded at the DBT by Peter Kyle, one of Sir Keir’s loyalists. It was confirmed earlier today that Mr Kyle would not serve on Mr Burnham’s front bench.

Rayner enters Downing Street

Angela Rayner is set to return to the Cabinet after entering Downing Street to meet with Andy Burnham.

Ms Rayner was housing secretary and deputy prime minister under Sir Keir Starmer from July 2024 to September 2025, when she was forced to resign after a Telegraph investigation into her tax affairs.

The Telegraph revealed that Ms Rayner had underpaid stamp duty by £40,000 on the sale of her seaside flat in Hove.

An investigation by HMRC later cleared her of any wrongdoing, accepting that she was not “careless” in her failure to pay the tax. She has since repaid the outstanding balance.

Nandy enters No 10

Lisa Nandy, another close ally of Andy Burnham and the current Culture Secretary, has entered Downing Street.

Ms Nandy was the first Cabinet minister to campaign for Mr Burnham at the Makerfield by-election, and opposed Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to block him from standing at the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Why Burnham has made his appointments

It is understood that Ed Miliband was appointed to the Foreign Office because of his experience as a Cabinet minister, and his work on international issues in the Energy Department, where he has negotiated with other countries on behalf of the UK.

However, the appointment will also be seen as a consolation prize after he was not appointed Chancellor, as had been widely expected earlier this month.

It is understood that Andy Burnham wanted Shabana Mahmood to remain in the Home Office because of her success in bringing down the number of small-boat crossings. The Prime Minister had felt that the role needed “continuity”, No 10 sources said.

Louise Haigh, in the unusual role of First Secretary of State, will be in charge of making sure policies meet Mr Burnham’s “Makerfield Test”, which will include working in No 10 North, based in Manchester.

Haigh becomes First Secretary of State

Louise Haigh has been brought back into Cabinet by Andy Burnham as First Secretary of State.

The MP for Sheffield Heeley will also serve as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Cabinet Office minister.

The role of First Secretary is unusual because it clarifies that Ms Haigh will be more senior than other secretaries of state, although she will be more junior than Mr Burnham.

Ms Haigh is widely regarded as Mr Burnham’s right-hand woman and ran his by-election campaign in Makerfield.

A former transport secretary, she resigned in November 2024 over a historical fraud conviction. She appeared at Camberwell Green magistrates’ court in 2014, six months before her election, after making a false report to officers that her mobile phone had been stolen.

Mahmood stays on as Home Secretary

Shabana Mahmood will stay on as Home Secretary under Andy Burnham.

Ms Mahmood has been at the centre of Labour’s crackdown on migration and her remaining at the Home Office represents a vote of confidence from the new Prime Minister.

The Immigration and Asylum Bill plans to double the time most migrants have to wait before becoming eligible for indefinite leave to remain.

The legislation will also require asylum seekers to pay back some of their taxpayer-funded hotel bills.

Miliband named Foreign Secretary

Ed Miliband has been appointed Foreign Secretary by Andy Burnham.

Pat McFadden enters Downing Street

Pat McFadden has entered Downing Street in a sign that he could be the most prominent of Sir Keir Starmer’s loyal ministers to keep a Cabinet job under Andy Burnham.

Mr McFadden is currently the Work and Pensions Secretary and was formerly Sir Keir’s chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

During last summer’s welfare rebellion, in which Labour MPs prevented the former prime minister from cutting the benefits bill by £5bn a year, Mr McFadden complained to Lord Mandelson that Labour cares only about who it can tax in order to pay more in benefits.

Sir Keir’s enforcer in Cabinet at the time told the disgraced peer that every meeting he had with members of the Parliamentary Labour Party concerned the question: “Who can we tax in order to pay benefits to others?”

Healey returns five weeks on from resignation

John Healey’s return to the Cabinet as Andy Burnham’s Chancellor comes just over five weeks on from his resignation as defence secretary.

Mr Healey stunned Westminster by quitting as defence secretary on June 11 after accusing Sir Keir Starmer of putting Britain’s security at risk by withholding cash from the Armed Forces and failing to commit to spending 3 per cent of GDP on defence by 2030.

In a scathing letter, he said that he had been left with “no other option” after the former prime minister was “unable, and the Treasury unwilling, to commit the resources the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats”.

Mr Healey has since said that the defence investment plan (DIP) in its current form leaves Britain unsafe.

Sources close to Mr Burnham had previously said that the DIP had been “settled”. However, Mr Healey’s willingness to return to the top table suggests that position could well have changed in the weeks since its publication.

Cooper enters Downing Street

Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, has entered Downing Street.

Ms Cooper has publicly stated that she wants to stay on in her foreign brief.

She was Shabana Mahmood’s predecessor at the Home Office and oversaw the start of Sir Keir Starmer’s migration crackdown.

Healey embraces Burnham as he accepts Chancellor role

Burnham appointing Healey will shock Westminster

John Healey’s appointment will come as a shock in Westminster, where almost everyone believed the Treasury would go to Shabana Mahmood.

Downing Street sources said Mr Healey had been appointed because he and Andy Burnham had the same outlook on the economy, in terms of maintaining stability and the current fiscal rules, and on reindustrialisation, devolution and helping people with the cost of living crisis.

Mr Healey was one of the only ministers in Sir Keir Starmer’s government with direct ministerial experience in the Treasury, having served as economic secretary and financial secretary under Gordon Brown for five years.

No 10 sources also pointed to Mr Healey’s work on Armed Forces housing as an example of his commitment to public ownership, which they said chimed with Mr Burnham’s desire to do the same on social housing across the country.

Healey to run Treasury in Burnham’s first major appointment

John Healey has been made Chancellor in Andy Burnham’s first major appointment.

In a surprise move, the former defence secretary will succeed Rachel Reeves in No 11, where he will be tasked with finding billions more for the military.

Mr Healey quit his former post last month over his Sir Keir Starmer’s failure to commit to spending 3 per cent of Britain’s GDP on the military by 2035.

He was the first Labour heavyweight to walk into No 10 to meet with the new Prime Minister.

The appointment sent shock waves through Westminster because Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, was widely regarded as the front-runner to succeed Rachel Reeves.

Ms Reeves quit the Cabinet to return to the back benches earlier on Monday. She is said to have rejected a more junior role in Mr Burnham’s top team.

Burnham appoints Healey as Chancellor

Andy Burnham has appointed John Healey as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Another Starmer loyalist bites the dust

The Cabinet minister in charge of Sir Keir Starmer’s EU reset has left Andy Burnham’s Government.

Nick Thomas-Symonds, the paymaster general who was also in charge of relations with the European Union, confirmed his departure in the past few minutes:

Von der Leyen: Burnham wants to bring UK and EU ‘closer and closer’

Andy Burnham wants to bring the UK and the EU “closer and closer”, the president of the European Commission has said.

Ursula von der Leyen said she had held a “very good first discussion” with the new Prime Minister, saying that she would seek to deliver for businesses, young people and security across Britain and the continent:

Zelensky: Thank you, Andy. Thank you, Britain!

Volodymyr Zelensky has congratulated Andy Burnham on becoming Prime Minister after their first call since Mr Burnham entered No 10:

Two more Starmer loyalists out the door

Hilary Benn and Baroness Chapman have both returned to the back benches under Andy Burnham.

The former Northern Ireland secretary and the development minister were among Sir Keir Starmer’s loyalists, in a sign of just how far Mr Burnham’s purge of Sir Keir has now gone.

Mr Benn said:

Lady Chapman said:

Burnham ‘has to show he is better than Starmer’

Andy Burnham has to prove he is better than Sir Keir Starmer or voters will ask “why on earth is he there?”, Britain’s leading political historian has said.

Sir Anthony Seldon told Sky News: “He has to be different. He has to justify why he has replaced Keir Starmer as Prime Minister after just two years having won a massive landslide.

“Because if he doesn’t say that he’s going to be different and better, why on earth is he there? And at the same time that’s tricky because he doesn’t have a mandate.

“He didn’t win a general election, Keir Starmer did win a general election, and also he hasn’t had time to prepare for Government, really think it through. Keir Starmer had four years... and Andy Burnham has barely had four months.”

Haigh enters Downing Street in sign she will take major role

Louise Haigh has entered Downing Street in a sign that she will have a major role in Andy Burnham’s Government.

Ms Haigh, one of Mr Burnham’s closest allies and the MP for Sheffield Heeley, entered Downing Street 10 minutes after Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood went into No 10.

Ms Haigh is widely expected to take over as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

The former transport secretary ran Mr Burnham’s Makerfield by-election campaign and is widely regarded as his right-hand woman.

Ms Haigh was sacked in November 2024 after a fraud conviction from more than a decade ago came to light.

Burnham invites Trump to Manchester

Andy Burnham invited Donald Trump to Manchester in his first call with the US president as Prime Minister.

A No 10 spokesman said: “The Prime Minister spoke to the president of the United States, Donald Trump, shortly after taking office this afternoon. The Prime Minister began by congratulating the president on a successful World Cup and agreed that England had an excellent tournament.

“The Prime Minister also hoped that he would be able to show the president what Manchester had to offer during a visit in the future.

“Setting out his vision as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister said he would be focused on ensuring reindustrialisation up and down the country to ensure good growth in every postcode.

“The Prime Minister also underlined his commitment to defence and security and said ensuring the security of the UK and its allies was at the top of his agenda.

“The president then updated on the situation in the Middle East, and the Prime Minister outlined the UK’s commitment to securing the movement of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz to support global supply chains and drive down costs for businesses and families across the country. They looked forward to speaking again soon.”

Miliband and Mahmood both enter No 10

Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood have both entered 10 Downing Street.

The Energy Secretary has been tipped for a plum job under Andy Burnham, and was initially the front-runner to succeed Rachel Reeves as chancellor.

However, Ms Mahmood has more recently emerged as the favourite to run the Treasury in Mr Burnham’s Government.

Watch: A warm welcome to Downing Street for Burnham

Analysis: Burnham’s night of the long eyelashes

It doesn’t take a genius to spot the similarity between the ministers leaving the Government this afternoon. They are all of Sir Keir Starmer’s closest friends and allies.

First, David Lammy – the man Sir Keir appointed as his deputy after Angela Rayner’s tax debacle last year. Then Rachel Reeves, the closest Chancellor to No 10 for decades. Peter Kyle, Steve Reed and Liz Kendall – all popular on the Right of the Labour Party – came shortly afterwards.

Lord Hermer, probably Sir Keir’s only real personal friend in the Cabinet, was never going to survive under Andy Burnham. Where does this leave Mr Burnham’s plans for a “government of all the talents”, as one of his team characterised his Cabinet picks in a conversation last week?

It seems he has taken the risk of defenestrating many of the centrists to make room for his own soft-Left acolytes, including Louise Haigh and Lucy Powell.

Couple that with Mr Burnham’s decision not to mention Sir Keir at all in his first speech from Downing Street, and this starts to look less like a cosy reshuffle and more like a vicious coup against the Starmtroopers. Online, today’s changes are already being dubbed the “night of the long eyelashes”.

That said, the most interesting part of the day is still to come, and all eyes in Westminster are on Shabana Mahmood and Ed Miliband – whose decision to withdraw their support for their leader became a major factor in his downfall. Both are now in line for big jobs as a reward for their treachery.

Sir Keir said earlier today that politics was a “team sport”. As his ministers are culled, it has quickly become obvious that Westminster would be more accurately described as a blood sport.

Darren Jones sacked from Cabinet

Andy Burnham has sacked Sir Keir Starmer’s right-hand man from his Cabinet.

Darren Jones has been the former prime minister’s chief secretary since last September, having previously served as the chief secretary to the Treasury.

However, Mr Jones has now confirmed that Mr Burnham has dismissed him.

Mr Jones said last week that he would not remain as chief secretary to the Prime Minister should Mr Burnham keep him on. He will now return to the back benches rather than take on another Cabinet role.

John Healey walks up Downing Street

John Healey has walked up Downing Street and into No 10.

By tradition, the first person in to see a new Prime Minister goes on to be named Chancellor.

John Healey waits to enter Downing Street

John Healey, the former defence secretary, is waiting to enter Downing Street as Andy Burnham continues his reshuffle.

Mr Healey quit last month over Sir Keir Starmer’s refusal to commit to spending 3 per cent of GDP on defence by the end of the decade.

His arrival at No 10 will fuel speculation that he will return to the Cabinet, either in his old role, as Chancellor or in another post.

Wales secretary gone as Cabinet clearout continues

Jo Stevens is out as Wales secretary as Andy Burnham’s Cabinet clearout continues:

Ms Stevens was one of Sir Keir Starmer’s most loyal ministers and her departure follows those of fellow loyalists Rachel Reeves, Steve Reed, David Lammy, Peter Kyle and Lord Hermer.

‘Burnham has guaranteed his premiership will end in failure’

The peaceful transition of power is something of which all advanced democracies are rightly proud. And few countries do it better than – or quite as frequently as – Britain, writes Telegraph columnist Tom Harris.

The sun was shining on Andy Burnham as he arrived in Downing Street after his short car journey from Buckingham Palace.

The crowds, the smiles, the cheers, the slow, triumphant advance of the new Prime Minister and his wife through the crowds of well-wishers and hand-grabbers. It looked and felt like 1997 all over again. That was perhaps intentional.

Had the surging crowd allowed room for one, there would have been a very large elephant in Downing Street – namely the unspoken fact that, unlike 1997, this was not a celebration of the end of rule by an opposing party after 18 long years.

This was a celebration of the departure of another Labour prime minister after two, even longer, years. More importantly, this was a celebration of the arrival of The One, the man who really meant it when he said he would change the country. Not a middle manager, not a lawyer, not an administrator, but a radical conviction politician, one who will do great things. We know this because he has said so. Repeatedly.

Tom Harris: Burnham won’t meet his own expectations

Liz Kendall out as science secretary

Liz Kendall is out as science secretary and will return to the back benches under Andy Burnham.

Ms Kendall, a stalwart of the Labour Right, said there was “much more still to do”, having overseen policies on artificial intelligence and the social media ban for under-16s.

In a statement on X, she said: “I wish whoever takes on the science and technology portfolio the very best for the future.

“She or he is fortunate to be overseeing what is, to my mind, the most exciting and transformative brief in government.”

Ms Kendall promised to support Mr Burnham “in any way I can”.

Close Burnham ally promises ‘radical action’ on economy

One of Andy Burnham’s closest allies has promised “radical action” on the economy.

In a post on X, Miatta Fahnbulleh, who is tipped for a major Cabinet job, said:

Ms Fahnbulleh is thought to have done a lot of the key economic thinking in the weeks leading up to Mr Burnham’s coronation.

She has previously backed swathes of Left-wing policies, including equalising capital gains tax with the higher rate of income tax.

Burnham: I’ll take very prudent approach to economy

Andy Burnham has claimed he will take a “very prudent” approach to running the economy.

Borrowing costs rose at the fastest pace in the G7 this afternoon as markets reacted to Mr Burnham entering No 10.

Last year, Sir Keir Starmer’s successor was forced to row back on remarks in which he said Britain should not be “in hock” to the bond markets.

After becoming Prime Minister, Mr Burnham said: “I’ve said we’ll stick to the fiscal rules and by that I mean the existing fiscal rules and use obviously any flexibility within them. But we will stick to the existing rules.

“So none of this is about taking risks with the economy. I’ve never done that in any role that I’ve had. I’ve always taken a very prudent approach.”

Burnham invites Trump to Manchester

Andy Burnham has invited Donald Trump to visit Manchester.

No 10 sources told The Telegraph that the new Prime Minister had invited the US president during their call earlier today, one of Mr Burnham’s first in Downing Street.

Last month, Mr Trump described Andy Burnham as “extremely liberal” in his first public comments about the former Greater Manchester mayor.

The US president said: “I don’t know anything. I see that he was, I guess, the mayor of a town. I hear he’s extremely liberal.”

Lord Hermer out as attorney general

Andy Burnham has sacked Lord Hermer as attorney general.

Lord Hermer was one of Sir Keir Starmer’s closest Cabinet allies, remaining loyal to Sir Keir until the end of his premiership. Earlier today, he said he felt “quite emotional” at the now former prime minister’s departure.

In a post on Bluesky, the Labour peer said: “It has been the privilege of my life to serve my country as Attorney General over the last two years.

“I’ve been so lucky to be a part of Keir’s team, as he delivered for the public at home while rebuilding the UK’s reputation abroad, in particular on the rule of law.”

Lord Hermer said Mr Burnham would have his “utmost support”, adding: “I wish them nothing but success.”

Burnham considers rent controls

Andy Burnham is considering whether to introduce rent controls in a cost of living support package.

The new Prime Minister will make a major announcement on the economy tomorrow, including how he will pay for the radical measures he is expected to introduce.

Mr Burnham said: “We are looking at measures that could make a difference this year. So we are looking at all of those things but we will make more announcements tomorrow. We’re just finalising the details.

“It’s premature to say it will be any one of those particular things. We just want to do some things that people will feel and feel quite quickly. It won’t solve everything, it won’t take all of the pressure off but it just shows the direction of travel and that we’re serious about helping them out.”

Reeves out as chancellor

Rachel Reeves will not serve as chancellor under Andy Burnham.

Ms Reeves said in a statement: “It has been the privilege of my life to serve as the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The economy today is stronger, fairer and more resilient because of the choices we have taken as a Labour Government over the past two years.

“Stability restored, investment delivered and reform to our economy under way. I said when I was appointed chancellor that I would judge my time in office if the lives ordinary working-class people have been improved. I’m proud to say that they have.

“And to every young woman and girl, let my time in office show there should be no ceilings on your ambitions, your hopes or your dreams.

“I wish the very best of luck to my successor, Andy and his Cabinet. You have my full support, and I will continue to play my part in helping this Labour Government deliver the change the country needs.”

Peter Kyle ‘sacked as business secretary’

Andy Burnham has reportedly sacked Peter Kyle as business secretary.

Mr Kyle was one of Sir Keir Starmer’s most loyal Cabinet ministers and was also a close ally of Wes Streeting, who at one point harboured ambitions of his own to become prime minister.

Last week, it was reported that Jonathan Reynolds, Mr Kyle’s predecessor, would be brought back into the Department for Business and Trade.

David Lammy sacked as justice secretary

David Lammy has been sacked by Andy Burnham as justice secretary and deputy prime minister.

In a post on X, Mr Lammy said that he was “immensely proud of what we achieved, in Opposition and in Government”.

However, Sir Keir Starmer’s deputy went on to state that he would not be serving under Mr Burnham, who succeeded Sir Keir earlier today.

Mr Lammy said: “I would have been proud to continue serving in Cabinet. But a new prime minister is entitled to build his own team, and I wish Andy Burnham and the new Cabinet every success.

“I will continue to serve the great people of Tottenham, support this Labour Government from the backbenches and do everything I can to help defeat Reform again at the next general election.”

Coming up on the Daily T...

Join The Telegraph’s Camilla Tominey and Tim Stanley for a special episode of The Daily T later today.

Steve Reed quits as Housing Secretary

Steve Reed, the Housing Secretary, has quit ahead of Andy Burnham announcing his Cabinet.

The former housing secretary, who has been in Cabinet since the 2024 general election, said he was proud he “acted with integrity at every step over the turbulent past few months”.

Writing to Andy Burnham, he said: “Keir Starmer showed loyalty to me by appointing me to his Cabinet. I make no apology for returning that loyalty.”

He is the first Cabinet minister to leave his post since Mr Burnham took over in Downing Street.

Burnham’s Everton tweet: ‘Up the Toffees!’

Burnham holds first phone call with Trump

Andy Burnham has just spoken to Donald Trump in their first call since he became Prime Minister:

Miliband says goodbye to net zero department

Ed Miliband has bid farewell to his department in case he is moved or sacked in today’s reshuffle, The Telegraph understands.

The Energy Secretary held an all-staff meeting this morning to tell civil servants he had “no idea” what would happen in Andy Burnham’s reshuffle, and acknowledged there was “a chance” he would not be in post by the end of the day.

He thanked his staff for their work over the last two-and-a-half years, in which time he has accelerated Britain’s move to net zero and held off new oil and gas projects.

Mr Miliband was previously thought to be the frontrunner to become Chancellor of the Exchequer, but has since been downplayed by Mr Burnham’s allies in favour of Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary.

Burnham urged to ‘take a stand’ on anti-Semitism

Campaigners against anti-Semitism have written to Andy Burnham, urging him to “take a stand for Britain”, writes Gabriella Swerling.

The new Prime Minister is facing a backlash from Jewish leaders and Labour figures after he pledged to impose further sanctions on Israel last week.

In an open letter to Mr Burnham, Gideon Falter, the chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “As mayor of Greater Manchester, you saw the effect first-hand at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation. Now, as Prime Minister, you have an opportunity to do what your predecessors did not: you can do something about it.

“It was disheartening to British Jewry that you recently found time to announce specific policy measures relating to a foreign policy matter over which Britain has very little influence, but managed only a passing reference to anti-Semitism without mentioning a single policy.

“British foreign policy in the Middle East may exercise some politically significant communities over here, but Government action or inaction on anti-Semitism is literally a matter of life and death for the Jewish minority in this country.”

Mr Falter said Mr Burnham had a “gargantuan” task ahead of him, adding: “History teaches that extremists cannot be merely contained, but must be confronted.”

Most ex-Labour Reform voters have negative view of Burnham

A majority of Reform UK voters who used to back Labour have an unfavourable view of Andy Burnham.

A YouGov poll of former Labour supporters who are planning to vote for Nigel Farage’s party found just under three in ten (29 per cent) had a favourable view of Mr Burnham.

Just over half (51 per cent) saw Mr Burnham unfavourably, while only one in 10 Labour to Reform switchers (11 per cent) said they would currently consider voting for Labour again.

The poll of 1,824 Reform supporters was conducted between June 15 and 24, covering Mr Burnham’s victory at the Makerfield by-election.

Andy Burnham’s wife: The ‘coolest girl in college’ comes out of the shadows

In every speech, social media clip and tweet in recent months, as he beat a seemingly inevitable path to Downing Street, Andy Burnham has presented himself as a straightforward, man-of-the-people politician.

After the chicanery, deceit and incompetence of recent governments, here was a bloke the electorate could do business with. He likes football, chips, the Smiths and whichever Left-ish policies he thinks suit the public mood that day. In short, a no-nonsense leader-in-waiting. What the voters see, he suggests, is what they will get.

One mystery remains, however, right by Mr Burnham’s side: Marie-France van Heel, his wife, who is sometimes known as Frankie or just by her initials, MF.

Despite the intense scrutiny of her husband in recent weeks, Ms van Heel, who waved enthusiastically at the crowd gathered to greet her husband as they arrived in Downing Street from Buckingham Palace, remains curiously enigmatic.

• Profile: Who is Marie-France van Heel?

All eyes on Downing Street

All eyes are now on Downing Street ahead of Andy Burnham unveiling his Cabinet.

The Prime Minister is expected to announce his top team over the next few hours, with ministers in line for top jobs expected to walk past the world’s media and into No 10 to accept their new positions.

Allies of Mr Burnham are expected to be reward for their support in recent months with plum jobs, while some of those loyal to Sir Keir Starmer are expected to step away.

The Telegraph will be bringing you all the latest on Mr Burnham’s Cabinet choices on this live blog.

‘Burnham is talking Left, but signs show he may govern Right’

It was always going to be platitudes. That was forgivable under the circumstances.

What was also to be expected was that Andy Burnham would reiterate what had now become those themes which he clearly uses to distinguish his version of Labour government from the Starmer one.

The most important of these is that he intends to be more specifically and unambiguously Left-wing. Labour backbenches please note, he cries: I am on your side. I come from the same ideological place that you do. I am not an Islington lawyer, I am a Northern boy whose heart remains true to his roots, blah-blah.

But what does the repudiation of Blairism – which is what this is – actually amount to? The only specifics that we have heard about thus far are a government take-over of the National Lottery (not exactly a branch of hardcore industry), and taking Thames Water into special measures. The latter would be, by definition, temporary, and would not constitute re-nationalisation.

• Read more: Burnham’s promises could be a clever rhetorical trick

Macron: I hope to deepen UK-France relationship under Burnham

This from Emmanuel Macron, the French president:

Mr Macron’s post translates to:

“I extend my congratulations to Andy Burnham on his appointment as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

“In the face of the challenges that unite us, I hope that we will deepen our relationship in service of our peoples and by giving new momentum to the partnership between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

“I also wish to commend the action of Keir Starmer, whose commitment to serving his country has helped to strengthen cooperation between the United Kingdom, France, and our European partners.”

Reform attacks Burnham for failing to mention migration

Reform UK has attacked Andy Burnham for failing to mention migration in his first speech outside Downing Street.

Zia Yusuf, Reform’s home affairs spokesman, accused the Prime Minister of only listening to his “open borders backbench MPs”:

Swinney and Sarwar congratulate Burnham

Andy Burnham has been congratulated on becoming Prime Minister by leading SNP and Labour politicians north of the border.

John Swinney, the Scottish First Minister and SNP leader, noted that Mr Burnham was the UK’s seventh prime minister in 10 years.

Mr Swinney said: “He is right that Westminster has failed Scotland. I will work with him to improve the lives of people in Scotland, and to deliver the choice over our future that they have voted for.”

Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader who was an outspoken critic of Sir Keir Starmer, said: “I am confident that Andy will rise to the challenge he has set out today, to make our politics better, to make sure it works for people and delivers the change our country so desperately needs.

“We must re-empower those communities that have been forgotten about and left behind, and re-industrialise every part of our great country. That is what we can expect from this Labour government, taking on the poison of Reform and bringing hope back to Britain.” 

Canadian PM Carney congratulates Burnham... in French

This from Mark Carney, who was a Bank of England governor before his Canadian political career began:

Mr Carney’s post translates to: “Congratulations to Andy Burnham for being appointed the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

“Canada and the United Kingdom share a common history and enduring ties, and our two peoples have deep affinities. I look forward to collaborating with Prime Minister Burnham to strengthen security, stability, and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Burnham started day with homeless charity visit

Andy Burnham started his day with a visit to a homelessness charity in central London.

On a visit to The Passage, Mr Burnham said: “It’s a big day, but I’m starting it here at The Passage in Victoria, an amazing organisation that supports people who are street homeless, people who are recovering from homelessness.

“It just felt to me the right place to start a day like this, to get myself on the ground, just to see what life is like, what the team here are dealing with and what more we can do to support them.”

In the past hour, Mr Burnham has announced £340m in extra funds aimed at ending rough sleeping.

Farage demands Burnham call general election

Nigel Farage has demanded Andy Burnham call a general election after pledging sweeping changes to British politics.

Mr Burnham vowed in his maiden speech to make the biggest changes to British politics for 40 years.

However, despite the new Prime Minister insisting that he will not go to the country, Mr Farage said:

Polanski demands Burnham introduce rent controls

Zack Polanski has demanded Andy Burnham introduce rent controls and a wealth tax.

The Green Party leader accused the new Prime Minister of having “failed to mention” the scale of the economic and climate crises facing Britain in his first speech in No 10.

Mr Polanski said: “We need action on sky high rents, with rent controls, we need to end the rip-off and take water into actual public ownership, not tinkering with the existing failed model as is being suggested. We need wealth taxes as a first step towards tackling gross inequality and getting serious investment into our economy and public services.

“The Prime Minister has talked about ending the 40-year failed experiment of Thatcherism, but he looks likely to appoint a Chancellor who appears to have been chosen on the demands of bankers on the basis of little change.”

Mr Polanski went on to warn Mr Burnham against new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea, adding: “A reversal of existing policy would be disastrous for the climate and make no difference to people’s bills. Only serious investment in renewable energy will provide the energy security and reduced bills that we need.”

What you’re saying

Your reactions so far to Andy Burnham becoming Prime Minister:

• You can join the conversation in the comments section here

I’m ready to be Prime Minister, insists Burnham

Andy Burnham has insisted he is ready to serve as Britain’s Prime Minister.

He said: “I am ready. I’ve had a long journey to this point but I am ready to lead, I know what I want to do.

“There’s a reason I’m here at the shelter in Victoria this morning, an amazing shelter who supports people who are street homeless, people who are recovering from homelessness.

“It was a great place to start, to see what is being done here, the lives that are being turned around. It’s not just about me going into a job, it’s about what you’re going to do with it, do you have a plan, am I going to back places like this so they can do more? That’s what it’s all about.”

Asked if he was nervous, Mr Burnham responded: “It’s obviously a big thing, isn’t it, to step up in this way? But you’ve got to have a degree of that... I’ve been in politics a long time, I do bring a lot of experience to this, particularly from the ground up as mayor of Greater Manchester.”

He concluded: “Of course, the nerves are there, but I’m also confident in what I’m doing, what I’m about, and as I said, I’m ready.”

Burnham: Our support for Ukraine will not waver

Andy Burnham has pledged Britain’s support for Ukraine will not waver during his premiership.

The Prime Minister was asked which world leaders he would call first, to which he said Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump, the two leaders named by the interviewer.

Mr Burnham told Sky News: “I’ll be making very clear later today to President Zelensky that there is no change, I will be with him 100 per cent, as Keir Starmer has been.

“And Keir has done really quite an incredible job in not just backing Ukraine but being there in a personal way and I will be absolutely there for him in the same way.

“I’ve worked with Ukrainian mayors in the last few years, I’ve built a network of support for Ukrainian mayors, I take all of that experience into my new role and President Zelensky will be left in no doubt whatsoever that Britain’s support is steadfast, it is resolute, it will be there for him, and I will be there personally for him too.”

Burnham condemns ‘appalling’ briefings against Miliband

Andy Burnham has condemned “appalling” briefings against Ed Miliband in recent days.

The Prime Minister gave an interview hours before his first speech to the nation from No 10 in which he attacked briefings to journalists about the Energy Secretary, who is in contention to become chancellor in the new Cabinet.

Mr Burnham said: “They haven’t come from my team and I’m appalled at those briefings, I’m appalled at any colleague being on the receiving end of an anonymous briefing.

“And having come to Westminster I see that as having gone to another level and it really does demean our politics. And for me that is really what I’m coming back to change, to get some respect back, some teamwork going.”

Mr Burnham added: “All parties have failed in one way or another. You don’t get the right to point fingers when you’ve not been good enough yourselves, and that’s why I’m coming in with that honesty, myself included.”

Burnham refuses to call general election

Andy Burnham has rejected calls to hold a general election despite becoming Prime Minister without a mandate.

Asked when he would call an election, Mr Burnham told Sky News: “We’re in a parliamentary democracy and as we’ve seen through time if somebody can command a majority of the MPs in the House of Commons, they obviously then have the legitimacy to lead things forward.

“And I will lead forward consistently with the manifesto, which also talked about change. And I now want to work on the platform that Keir Starmer has left to deliver that change, and a massive change in our politics. That’s what No 10 North is about, taking the power out of Westminster and Whitehall and into every postcode in the land.”

Asked if he would stick to the 2024 general election manifesto, he responded: “I will stick to the manifesto. I will be bold and I will be true to what it says but there are big changes that I can implement coming from that manifesto.”

£340m ‘only way’ to end rough sleeping

Andy Burnham has insisted his first £340m commitment is the “only way” to end rough sleeping.

The new Prime Minister was challenged on rough sleeping increasing year on year in Greater Manchester for the past three years.

Speaking to Sky News shortly before the policy was announced, he said: “The problem was down significantly from when I came in as mayor in Greater Manchester, some of the issues that you mentioned were out of our control.

“But what I learned was we ran a scheme every night, 600 beds, called A Bed Every Night, and we funded it through various different ways. But we were the only place that was doing it. And you won’t be able to get the numbers down if you’re the only place.

“So it taught me that the only way is to do this together, everybody pulling together, everyone in, as we did in the pandemic, because we did bring people in in the pandemic... We did it then, get the basics right, put a care for people at the heart of everything we do and get this country working as it should again.”

Andy Burnham pledges £340m to end rough sleeping

Andy Burnham has announced he will spend £340m to end rough sleeping.

Downing Street said Mr Burnham’s first major policy would form a key part of his pledge to help Britons live well and build a more preventative state.

The money will come from uncommitted budgets in the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Mr Burnham said: “For too long, we’ve been told that ending rough sleeping will take decades or even that it’s impossible. I’m not having that. This is something a government can fix if it chooses to. Today, I’m choosing to.

“On my first day as Prime Minister, I’m announcing this government’s commitment to finally end long-term rough sleeping across the UK at the earliest opportunity.

“We’ll get to work immediately, bringing together national and local government with the investment needed to get it done.

“This is the kind of Britain I want us to be – a country where everyone has the security of a roof over their head, and where no one is left behind or written off. Let’s bring back hope.”

Burnham looks to do things differently

It is now a familiar sight, yet another new Prime Minister standing outside Downing Street to deafening cheers from their supporters and promising sweeping changes, only to be ousted within a couple of years (and sometimes even more quickly).

Andy Burnham will be hoping to break that pattern, in much the same way as he hopes that his premiership will act as a “circuit-breaker” for the nation.

There was an immediate cosmetic change to suggest that the new occupant of No 10 will want to do things differently, as he dispensed with 16 years of tradition by snubbing a lectern for two microphones.

Mr Burnham also sent an immediate signal of intent by promising to end rough sleeping, and vowing to make major announcements on the economy tomorrow.

The nature of the changes that Mr Burnham will bring remains largely unknown following a four-week coronation that was light on substance and, thanks to a lack of media access, even lighter on scrutiny.

However, should the Prime Minister prove as good as his word, we should strap ourselves in and brace for some of the most sweeping reforms for four decades.

New Prime Minister calls for ‘new sense of national unity’

Andy Burnham called for a “new national sense of unity” to conclude his first speech as Prime Minister.

Mr Burnham said: “It’s about putting the right values, and the right standards, at the heart of government.

“I will put the care of people at the heart of everything I do. I will give this my all. And I ask you all to pull with me.

“Let’s build a new national sense of unity, of common purpose, and positivity. Let us make this the moment when Britain starts to believe again. The moment we bring back hope. Thank you very much, everybody.”

Burnham’s first instruction: End rough sleeping

Andy Burnham said his first instruction in No 10 would be to end rough sleeping.

The new Prime Minister said: “We will help people to live well, building a more preventative state, investing in people’s success, rather than paying for people’s failure. And that work starts now.

“I will soon go through that door behind me and issue my first instruction: to end rough sleeping in our country.”

Andy Burnham vows major economic announcement

Andy Burnham has vowed to make a major economic announcement tomorrow on his tax and spend agenda.

Mr Burnham said: “I can do something to give people some breathing space now, some help with the cost of living.

“And I will set out some of those measures starting tomorrow, including how we pay for them.

“We will help more young people into education... and we will build more council homes. That is the fair and sustainable way to bring the welfare bill down, to meet our fiscal rules and to honour our commitments on defence to our international partners.”

Burnham pledges new wave of public ownership

Andy Burnham pledged a new wave of public ownership and a 10-year plan for Britain.

He said: “We will take power out of here, and carry it into every postcode in the land so that they can do more. And in doing more build a new economy, where we put life’s essentials back under stronger public control to make them affordable to you again.

“Reindustrialising Britain using public procurement to back British industry. Later this year, I will bring forward a new Plan for Britain, a 10-year plan, laying out a plan from where we are now to where I believe we all want Britain to be, wherever we’re coming from, whatever party we support.”

Andy Burnham vows ‘circuit-breaker for Britain’

Andy Burnham pledged “a circuit-breaker for Britain” – promising the biggest changes in four decades.

Looking directly down the camera, the Prime Minister said: “I know people at home are fed up with politics. I hear you, and I want to be honest with you, we have not been good enough and we need to be better. We will be.

“We will make this moment a circuit-breaker for Britain, bringing forward the biggest changes in the last 40 years. A new political model and a new economic model. In the 1980s Britain took some wrong turns. Political power was centralised. Economic power privatised. Large parts of the country deindustrialised and they still haven’t recovered.

“Many feel as though they’re still in decline and they don’t have the ability to turn things around and that’s why we will change politics, to make it more collaborative, more about problem-solving than point-scoring.”

Burnham: I’ll make politics work better

Andy Burnham has vowed to “make politics work better” in his first remarks as Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister said: “Thank you everyone, thank you. I have just come from Buckingham Palace where I have accepted His Majesty the King’s invitation to form a government.

“In doing so, I am acutely conscious that I am the sixth person in the last 10 years to walk up this street, the seventh Prime Minister since 2016, making this a moment for reflection and new resolution.

“It requires my generation of politicians to raise our game and rise to the new challenge. Britain needs to show the world that we can regain our stability once again and that is our challenge, to make politics work, to make it work better.”

Who is the real Andy Burnham?

“This is a last chance to change,” said Andy Burnham in his first speech as Labour leader on Friday. He was referring to his party, but those who know him saw a delicious irony in that phrase.

Because change is a word that sums up Burnham’s attitude to his politics. His doubters see him as a political chameleon, changing his colours to fit the political mood.

He wants to be seen as an outsider, riding to the country’s rescue from his northern stronghold, yet most of his working life has been spent in Westminster.

• Profile: Who is Britain’s new Prime Minister?

Burnham arrives in Downing Street

Andy Burnham has arrived in Downing Street, with his Range Rover coming up the street just before 12.45pm.

Procurement minister: ‘I’m waiting for the phone call’

Luke Pollard, the defence procurement minister, has been doing the rounds at the Farnborough Airshow today, writes Luke Barr.

Yet like most of the ministers in their jobs, Mr Pollard doesn’t know whether he’ll have his by the end of today.

Asked by The Telegraph whether or not he expected to stay in his job, Mr Pollard, who is well-liked by the defence industry, demurred. He said: “I’m waiting for the phone call just like any other minister.”

Usually on Monday the airshow is visited by the Prime Minister and members of the cabinet. but with everything happening in Westminster today, no one thinks that is going to happen this time.

However, there are rumours the new defence secretary, whoever they turn out to be, is set to visit on Wednesday.

Vince and Rotheram outside No 10

Dale Vince, the green energy tycoon, and Steve Rotheram, the Labour Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, are both outside No 10 waiting for Andy Burnham:

Burnham cheered as he leaves Palace

Andy Burnham has left Buckingham Palace after formally becoming Prime Minister.

Mr Burnham was cheered by a crowd outside the Palace. He left with his wife Marie-France van Heel after an audience with the King.

He is about to address the nation for the first time as Prime Minister.

Burnham’s No 10 crowd very different from Starmer’s

Andy Burnham’s crowd is very different from Sir Keir Starmer’s and looking like a sixth form day trip, brought down from Manchester, our sketchwriter Tim Stanley observes from Downing Street.

Peter Reid, a Left-wing former footballer, and Dale Vince, the eco-tycoon, are both in attendance, with Mr Vince wearing a bum bag on his bum.

Full story: Starmer says his ‘work is done’ in farewell speech

Sir Keir Starmer left Downing Street declaring: “My work is done”.

The former prime minister cited a list of achievements in his final speech on the steps of No 10. Flanked by his wife and his team, the outgoing premier said: “My work is done. In six and a half years, I took our party from a historic defeat in 2019, changed it so it was fit to face the country, and won a landslide general election victory in 2024.

“Since then, it has been the privilege of my life to serve you and this great country as prime minister, and I am confident that Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago.”

• Watch in full: Ousted PM’s final speech as leader

Dale Vince and Josh Simons waiting for Burnham

Dale Vince is among the aides and allies of Andy Burnham waiting for him to deliver his first speech as Prime Minister.

Mr Vince is a green energy tycoon who has donated more than £6m to Labour since 2013 via his Ecotricity business.

Also present is Josh Simons, whose resignation as the MP for Makerfield in May paved the way for Mr Burnham’s return to Westminster.

Burnham does away with lectern

There will be no “lectern moment” for Andy Burnham when he addresses the nation for the first time as Prime Minister.

Two microphones have been brought out and placed on Downing Street in a significant break with tradition.

The Downing Street lectern first found favour in 2010 when Lord Cameron had a custom-built lectern for major moments.

Lecterns were also used by Baroness May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer.

Palace confirms Burnham is new Prime Minister

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “His Majesty received in audience the Rt Hon Andrew Burnham MP and requested him to form a new Administration.

“The Rt Hon Andrew Burnham MP accepted The King’s offer and kissed hands upon his appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury.

“Ms Marie-France van Heel was also received by His Majesty.”

Burnham becomes Prime Minister

Andy Burnham has officially become the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

The King asked the Labour leader to form a government as the two men met at Buckingham Palace in the past few minutes.

Mr Burnham will soon deliver his first address to the nation from outside Downing Street.

‘Burnham will find himself spinning plates in No 10’

Andy Burnham’s first weeks and months will be taken up by “spinning plates” at Downing Street, an elections expert has said.

Michael Thrasher said the country would have to “wait and see” whether Labour under Mr Burnham proved more popular than Sir Keir Starmer.

Mr Thrasher told Sky News: “We really are getting through prime ministers at a rate of knots. And really his job now is about spinning plates.

“Because on one hand he has to keep all the wings of the Labour Party content in terms of his Cabinet appointments, and not wishing to alienate certain factions of the Labour Party.

“At the same time, he’s got to keep the markets happy in terms of reassuring them that he’s not going to destabilise the economy and then there is the whole popery of foreign policy relationships. So there’s quite a lot on his agenda, and the coming weeks and months will be rather interesting, shall we say.”

Burnham’s authentic Northern strategy could destroy Farage

What if Andy Burnham went for it and attacked Nigel Farage and Reform as creatures of the South? It’s not as far-fetched as it might appear, for this was the reputation of Farage and his Ukip in the 2000s. What would this mean for Reform and the outcome of the next election if Burnham did just that?

Burnham will play hard on his Northern credentials. He’s already musing on the lessons from his Manchester mayoralty to discuss further extending devolution and adapting public services along Manchester’s lines, and he looks set to move part of the Downing Street operation to the North.

The new Labour leader is confident he can drive Reform out of large swathes of the North, but he faces a huge task. Since the mid-2000s, Labour has steadily become a Southern, self-consciously metropolitan party – preoccupied with issues such as identity and deep poverty. Many Northern voters noticed that Burnham’s party was on a different side to them on issues like immigration, crime and woke – and also that Labour activists disliked them for it.

• Read more from James Frayne: How Burnham could dash Reform’s chances

King to receive Burnham in Chinese Dining Room

The King will receive Andy Burnham in the Chinese Dining Room as the traditional Audience Room is undergoing refurbishment as part of the palace’s ongoing re-servicing programme.

The lavishly decorated Chinese Dining Room was once known as Queen Victoria’s Dining and Lunch Room.

It is adorned with a number of furnishings and fittings from George IV’s Brighton Pavilion, which Victoria sold to Brighton town council in 1846 to fund construction of the East Wing at Buckingham Palace.

She salvaged most of its artefacts and shipped them to the palace.

Queen Mary further enhanced the chinoiserie with the help of fashionable decorators White Allom, in the 1920s. 

Burnham arrives at Buckingham Palace

Andy Burnham has arrived at Buckingham Palace.

The prime minister-in-waiting will meet the King and ask to form a government.

Mr Burnham is wearing a suit and tie rather than his usual more casual garb following speculation over his attire.

The MP for Makerfield has been joined by Marie-France van Heel, his wife.

Lord Vallance quits as science minister

Lord Patrick Vallance has quit his post as science minister after Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation.

Lord Vallance, who was the chief scientific adviser from 2018 to 2023, was ennobled by Sir Keir in July 2024 and appointed to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on Labour’s landslide election victory.

The peer said: “After nearly a decade in Government I am stepping down as a minister, for personal reasons. It has been a privilege to serve as the chief scientific adviser and, more recently, science minister and minister for nuclear.

“I wish Andy Burnham and the new team in No 10 well and I will continue to advise and help them in a-non ministerial capacity.”

Lord Vallance has also resigned from a separate role he held at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Burnham: My dad doesn’t know I’m next PM because of his Alzheimer’s

Andy Burnham has said his father does not know he is becoming prime minister because of his Alzheimer’s.

The incoming prime minister has pledged to “grasp the nettle” of reforming the adult social care system, drawing on the experiences of his father Roy.

“That’s a sadness, because he would be [proud],” he told The Times. “The way I look at it, it’s his achievement as well. A whole family achievement, although he doesn’t know it.”

Mr Burnham said his father was also unaware that he had got behind one of his political passions, a change in the voting system to proportional representation.

• Full story: Incoming PM pledges to reform adult social care system

Starmer aide: I’m so proud of what we have achieved

Rachel Reeves’s chief of staff has broken the usual silence kept by political advisers to say he was “so proud” of what he has achiveved alongside Sir Keir Starmer.

In a post on X, Ben Nunn, who has worked across the leader of the Opposition officers, No 10 and the Treasury, said: “The number one rule of a political adviser is keep quiet in public. To keep off social media and to be the voice behind the scenes. But just for today I’m breaking that rule.

“I first met Keir Starmer more than twelve years ago when he was standing to be the Labour Party candidate in Holborn and St Pancras. Since then I have had the privilege of being by his side. From Brexit to the pandemic, leadership campaign to election, opposition to government. Changing Labour from a party of protest to a party of change.”

Mr Nunn hailed Sir Keir as “a man of extraordinary strength, determination and decency”, adding: “I’m so proud of what we have achieved together. Others will judge his time in politics as they see fit. But for me I see a Britain today that is a better country because of his leadership.”

Lord Timpson quits as prisons minister

Lord Timpson has quit as prisons minister ahead of a rethink by Andy Burnham of plans to free almost 2,500 rapists and paedophiles from prison early.

The prisons minister has been overseeing the implementation of legal changes that will see thousands of prisoners freed early either as little as a third or half way through their sentences from Sept 2.

However, Labour is facing a growing backlash from victims and backbench MPs including Jess Phillips, a former home office minister, over the failure to exempt rapists and child sex offenders including those involved in grooming gangs.

Sources close to the incoming Prime Minister confirmed that he and his team have been exploring “how and what is possible” to tighten the early release scheme to prevent the rapists and child sex offenders walking free from September.

The Telegraph revealed on Sunday that 2,462 of the offenders, including more than 100 rapists jailed for more than 15 years, will become eligible for release earlier than previously determined. It has also highlighted the cases of victims like Jade Belgrove, who was raped and groomed as a child, and has waived her anonymity to launch a change.org petition urging the Government to exempt sex offenders.

Pictured: Starmer shakes hands with King

Starmer formally resigns as prime minister

Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Sir Keir has formally tendered his resignation.

In a statement, the palace announced: “The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP had an audience of The King this morning and tendered his resignation as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury which His Majesty was graciously pleased to accept.

“Lady Starmer was also received by The King.”

Lord Hermer suggests he could leave post under Burnham

Lord Hermer has suggested he is unlikely to remain as Attorney General under Andy Burnham, saying that the role was “the privilege of my lifetime”.

The Attorney General, one of Sir Keir Starmer’s closest Cabinet allies, told Sky News: “I’m feeling pretty emotional watching Sir Keir leave. But I can tell you this, it has been the privilege of my lifetime.

“If someone had told me I could have two weeks as Attorney General I would have bitten their hand off, I’ve had two years to serve my country.”

Lord Hermer added: “He’s a huge figure, he’s done fantastic things in this country... It has been an immense privilege to be a tiny little part of that.”

Hermer: Starmer’s resignation a pretty emotional moment

Lord Hermer said Sir Keir Starmer’s final speech in No 10 was a “pretty emotional moment”.

The Attorney General has been one of the now former prime minister’s closest allies during his two years in power.

Lord Hermer told Sky: “It was a pretty emotional moment, wasn’t it? Look, he showed the dignity, the grace once again at that podium, reminded us all of actually what he’s achieved over these last two years, which is a great deal... He has set this foundation that I’ve no doubt Andy Burnham is going to pick up and run with.”

Praising “his dignity and his grace” in wishing Andy Burnham the best, Lord Hermer said that Sir Keir was “a truly great man”.

He continued: “I think probably for all of us, you know, the emotions swirl around, it’s too early for any of us to know how any of us really feel apart from proud of what we’ve done and determined, whether we’re inside or outside, to be supporting the next step of the Labour Government.”

Starmer arrives at Palace to resign

Sir Keir Starmer has arrived at Buckingham Palace for the final time ahead of his meeting with the King.

The outgoing Prime Minister has been joined by Lady Starmer, his wife. The pair were greeted on their arrival.

Burnham to face first audience with the King

This historic meeting between Andy Burnham and the King will be recorded by a photographer.

The pair will then get on with constitutional business behind closed doors as the King invites his new prime minister to form a government.

As with their many weekly audiences to come, the meeting will remain private. However, many of Sir Keir’s predecessors have been unable to resist recounting that first memorable encounter with the monarch.

Sir Tony Blair recalled how he tripped on a rug and “practically fell into the Queen’s hands” when he was appointed by Elizabeth II in 1997.

Gordon Brown described his first audience with the late Queen as “a congenial business-like conversation about the work that lay ahead” while Margaret Thatcher’s husband Denis noted that the palace guards saluted as he and his wife left, having not done so when they arrived.

Liz Truss revealed the late Queen told her “I’ll see you next week” during their first and only official meeting at Balmoral on Sept 6, 2022.

Starmer sets off for the Palace

Sir Keir Starmer has now set off for Buckingham Palace, where he will tender his resignation to the King.

The outgoing Prime Minister will recommend that Andy Burnham, his successor, form the next government.

‘I wish him every success. He has my full support’

Sir Keir Starmer pledged his “full support” to Andy Burnham, declaring he was departing Downing Street proud of his time in power.

Delivering his final remarks as Prime Minister with his wife by his side, Sir Keir said: “As I now pass the baton to Andy Burnham, I wish him every success. He has my full support.

“And finally I want to thank once again my family, Vic and our children, my team, all the staff here and across the Labour Party, everyone at No 10 and across the Civil Service, and everyone who has supported our efforts along the way.”

He continued: “For all the focus on individuals, politics will always be a team sport and the changes we’ve delivered for our country and our party belong to everyone who has fought for them. I thank them again today, and I thank the British people for the opportunity to serve.

“I go with good grace, I go with a smile and I go proud of everything that we have achieved. Thank you very much.”

Starmer: Our enemies will stop at nothing to divide us

Sir Keir Starmer warned against division in society as he said Britain’s enemies would “stop at nothing” to create unrest.

The Prime Minister said: “We face a world now where our enemies will stop at nothing to divide us because of our values, our freedom, our decency and frankly because of our unflinching resolve towards the great people of Ukraine.

“And so under this attack, it is vital that we remember the greatness of the Britain all around us, that while we debate how to fix our problems, there is something we inherit from our country and our character that can give us confidence.

“That we can change our country for the better, that we can create a Britain where every child will go as far as their talent will take them, and we can unite different people under our current flag if we don’t succumb to that division.”

I’ve had a front row seat to service and decency, says Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer said his “front row seat” to acts of service and decency was his biggest takeaway from his time as Prime Minister.

The outgoing Prime Minister said: “Our economy is stronger, our public services are on the up, with the biggest fall in waiting times for 17 years. Children are being lifted out of poverty every single day.

“Immigration is down significantly, our defence and security are on a far stronger footing and our international reputation is greatly enhanced.

“Yet the thing I will always take away with me, the most humbling aspect of this job, is the front row seat you get to witness the greatest things of this country in action, to see every day immeasurable acts of resolve, grit, decency and compassion from people who serve our country, whether that’s in their regimental colours, NHS scrubs or simply the millions of people in their communities who volunteer their time and their effort to the ground beneath their feet.”

Burnham faces calls for snap general election

Andy Burnham, the incoming prime minister, is facing mounting pressure to call an early general election and seek a fresh mandate for power.

Mr Burnham – who has promised sweeping changes when he enters No 10 – is accused of lacking a mandate for his plans.

He has ruled out triggering a snap election, despite calls from Labour in opposition and himself for Rishi Sunak to call an election when he took over as Tory prime minister in 2022.

Mr Burnham has both promised to keep to Labour’s 2024 manifesto and also signalled an end to “40 years of neoliberalism”, the political orthodoxy of the previous Conservative and New Labour governments.

• Full story: Incoming PM under pressure to seek mandate

Starmer: I’ve built a stronger and fairer Britain... my work is done

Sir Keir Starmer said he had built a “stronger and fairer” Britain during his two years in office.

In his final speech as Prime Minister, Sir Keir said: “I am about to visit His Majesty the King to offer my resignation and close the book on my time as Prime Minister. My work is done.

“In six and a half years I took our party from a historic defeat in 2019, changed it so it was fit to face the country and won a landslide general election victory in 2024.

“Since then, it has been the privilege of my life to serve you, and this great country, as Prime Minister and I am confident that Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago.”

Starmer surrounded by his most loyal allies

The staff gathered closest to the No 10 door this morning are some of Sir Keir’s most loyal and longest-serving allies.

They include two of his communications chiefs, Ben Nunn and Sophie Nazemi, who are expected to leave the Government along with Sir Keir.

Mr Nunn, who steered Labour’s media operations through the opposition years, is now chief of staff to Rachel Reeves, who is also expected to leave the Cabinet.

On the other side of the door is Jenny Chapman, one of the Prime Minister’s closest allies, and Vidhya Alakeson, his deputy chief of staff.

David Lammy, Sir Keir’s who has served as Deputy Prime Minister, and Lord Hermer, the Attorney General, are among the other top ministers who will stand behind him as he gives his final speech in office.

Sir Sadiq Khan, who Sir Keir is making a peer in one of his final acts in office, is also present. Sir Sadiq, the Mayor of London, is talking to Lord Hermer while covering his mouth with his hand, presumably in an attempt to stop journalists from reading his lips.

Starmer supporters and staff gather outside No 10

Sir Keir Starmer’s supporters and staff have gathered outside the door of 10 Downing Street ahead of his exit speech.

The Prime Minister will address the nation in about 15 minutes’ time.

A semi-circle has already formed outside the lectern that has been placed in Downing Street as Sir Keir’s team and allies gather to cheer him on for a final time.

Podium set up for Starmer’s final speech in No 10

The Downing Street podium has been set up for Sir Keir Starmer’s final speech as Prime Minister.

Sir Keir is unlikely to have imagined that he would last just over two years when guided Labour to a 411-seat landslide victory at the 2024 general election.

However, his premiership was blighted by a series of scandals and more than a dozen significant about-turns. He bowed to pressure to quit following a party rebellion in the wake of Labour’s local elections drubbing and Mr Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election.

During the tumult of recent years, Tobias Gough, the sound engineer tasked with setting up the lectern and microphones for momentous events in Downing Street, has emerged as something of an unexpected heartthrob.

The only constant in British politics

By the end of Monday, Andy Burnham is likely to have appointed a brand new chancellor and home secretary in a Cabinet that looks drastically different from Sir Keir Starmer’s top team.

However, Larry the cat is proving to be one of the few constants in Downing Street, and will be exempt from the reshuffle fun as he prepares for his seventh different owner.

Britain’s most famous feline has served as Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office since 2011, meaning that he has already outlasted Lord Cameron, Baroness May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.

Arriving from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in February 2011, Larry soon made himself at home and has met world leaders including Barack Obama over the years on their visits to No 10.

Once Mr Burnham takes over, Larry will have had three more prime ministers than the King, who will be on his fourth leader.

How Starmer and Burnham’s visits to the King will work

It is the King’s duty, as head of state, to appoint the prime minister who will lead His Majesty’s Government. The monarch will formally appoint Mr Burnham later this morning, marking his first official engagement in a busy week. The former Manchester mayor will become the King’s fourth prime minister, and the second Labour one.

The King is currently at Highgrove, his Gloucestershire home. He will arrive at Buckingham Palace later this morning to receive Sir Keir Starmer and his family, followed by Mr Burnham and his wife, Marie-France van Heel, at around midday. In each case, he sees the outgoing and incoming PMs individually and then with their spouse and any other family members present.

The visitors will be greeted by Sir Clive Alderton, the King’s principal private secretary, and Maj Ben Rigby, the King’s equerry, at the palace’s luggage door. The grand entrance, which is traditionally used, is out of action due to the summer opening.

Each entry and exit will be timed with military precision to ensure the incoming and outgoing leaders do not meet. The Starmers will leave the palace privately before Mr Burnham is whisked through the front gates, his every movement tracked by television cameras.

The audience will last around half an hour and will be formally recorded in the Court Circular as the “kissing of hands”, although it will more likely feature a brisk hand shake. The King will later travel to Cambridgeshire for a series of long planned engagements before moving on to Sandringham.

He will return to Buckingham Palace tomorrow for the Privy Council before returning to Sandringham for its annual flower show on Wednesday.

What Burnham’s policies could mean for your money

Andy Burnham has vowed to deliver the biggest changes to British politics in four decades after being crowned Labour leader on Friday. He will enter No 10 as prime minister on Monday after running for the leadership unopposed.

In the run up to his coronation, the Makerfield MP indicated support for introducing further taxes on wealth, including a new property tax and restructuring capital gains tax. He has also refused to rule out a wealth tax.

While Mr Burnham says he will aim to deliver “the biggest change in our lifetimes to the way the country is run”, he has since warned of making “difficult” decisions to balance the nation’s finances.

Last week, he used a podcast interview with Gary Lineker, the former England footballer and BBC presenter, to admit that such decisions may include “having to ask for a little more” from taxpayers.

However, the bill could once again land with Britain’s already-squeezed middle class.

• What a Burnham premiership could mean for your money

Prisons minister ‘resigns from government’

The prisons minister has reportedly become the first of Sir Keir Starmer’s top team to resign from government.

Lord Timpson was appointed and ennobled by Sir Keir in 2024, and has a history of employing former inmates at his Timpson key-cutting stores.

In a note seen by the BBC, Lord Timpson said: “It has been an honour to serve as minister for prisons, probation and reducing reoffending and to leave with our prisons and probation service in a much healthier and happier state than two years ago.”

Lord Timpson oversaw the controversial early release scheme during his time in post. Last month, The Telegraph revealed that killers, rapists and sex offenders will be among more than 5,000 criminals freed early from prison from September.

Last day at the office

Darren Jones was all smiles as he arrived at Downing Street for his final day as Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister.

Mr Jones became Sir Keir Starmer’s right-hand man last September and was attempting to push through sweeping Whitehall reforms. He was also leading on Sir Keir’s flagship digital ID scheme, which has already been torn up by Andy Burnham.

Speculation is rife about who will keep their jobs in Mr Burnham’s cabinet. However, Mr Jones was clear in an interview last week that he would not be continuing in his current role.

He told LBC’s Tonight with Andrew Marr: “I definitely am not going to be the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister from next week.”

Haigh backed for ‘powerful position’ under Burnham

Louise Haigh has been backed to take on a “powerful position” when Andy Burnham unveils his Cabinet later today.

Jess Phillips, a senior Labour backbencher and former safeguarding minister, called for Mr Burnham to appoint Ms Haigh, one of his closest allies, to a senior role following speculation she could become the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Ms Phillips told LBC’s Nick Ferrari: “My absolute faith in Andy Burnham, actually, and my sort of lack of disappointment is because Lou Haigh is his right-hand woman, and she is a woman I think who is one of the cleverest people I’ve ever come across in Parliament.

“And also you know where you stand with Louise Haigh, which I like about her. So I would like to see her get a powerful position.”

Ms Haigh is a prominent member of the soft-Left Tribune group, and her support for Mr Burnham at an early stage helped him become the leadership candidate of choice among MPs on Labour’s soft-Left.

A former transport secretary, she quit her Cabinet role under Sir Keir in November 2024 after it emerged that she had pleaded guilty to a fraud offence a decade ago.

Badenoch tells Burnham: Slash benefits bill to fund tax cuts

Kemi Badenoch has urged Andy Burnham to slash Britain’s soaring benefits bill in order to fund tax cuts.

With just hours to go until Mr Burnham takes over from Sir Keir Starmer, Mrs Badenoch, the Tory leader, wrote to her Labour counterpart to urge him to change course.

Sir Keir last year attempted to cut the welfare bill by an annual £5bn but was forced into a humiliating climbdown after a revolt from more than 100 of his own MPs. Mr Burnham was not an MP at the time but also voiced his opposition to the cuts.

Mrs Badenoch told Mr Burnham: “You must not repeat the mistakes of Keir Starmer’s premiership which failed because he refused to stand up to his Left-wing backbenchers and their endless demands for tax rises to pay for more welfare... Britain cannot go on like this without becoming a welfare state with a country attached.”

She continued: “We need common sense policies to get Britain working again. This means cheaper energy, lower taxes, cutting welfare, and stronger borders. Where we support your agenda, I will say so. But I will always stand against the instincts of Labour MPs for higher taxes and more spending.”

Burnham arrives at temporary headquarters

Andy Burnham has arrived at his temporary headquarters ahead of a seismic day in British politics.

Mr Burnham will become prime minister this afternoon, taking over from Sir Keir Starmer, whose political fate he sealed by winning the Makerfield by-election last month.

The former mayor of Greater Manchester has secured the support of 379 out of 403 Labour MPs after Wes Streeting, Darren Jones and Al Carns all withdrew their own leadership ambitions to weigh in behind him.

Setting the scene

The world’s media are gathering on Downing Street while the famous black door of No 10 has been cleaned ahead of Andy Burnham’s arrival.

The prime minister-in-waiting is expected to give his first address to the nation at about 12.40pm.

Sir Keir Starmer will deliver his last remarks as Prime Minister from about 11.15am, before visiting the King ahead of Mr Burnham’s own visit to the Palace.

Burnham untested on world stage, says former colleague

Andy Burnham ran Manchester well but is completely untested on the world stage, one of his former mayoral colleagues has said.

Sir Andy Street, the former Tory mayor of the West Midlands region, worked closely with Mr Burnham while the incoming prime minister was serving as the mayor of Greater Manchester.

Sr Andy told Sky News: “Obviously, as a patriot, I wish him good luck and hope there is stability. And just reflecting on what I know of him as the mayor, he’s a very good colleague.

“Definitely a good outcome has occurred in Manchester and there are some definite advantages of being a mayor in moving into being prime minister. You run a big, big executive. You have to balance your budget every year, all of that.

“But let’s be honest, it is a job of a completely different scale to being mayor. And some of those international challenges, he, of course, is untested on those. So it’s a great grounding, but an incredible transition.”

Nandy expected to run Burnham’s new super-ministry

Lisa Nandy is expected to be given control of a new “super department” by Andy Burnham, with responsibility for devolution and “the regions”.

The current Culture Secretary has been tipped for an expanded role under a shake-up of Whitehall departments similar to Sir Tony Blair’s reorganisation in 1997.

Ms Nandy, the MP for Wigan, is a close ally of Mr Burnham and previously served as the shadow communities secretary under Sir Keir Starmer.

Sources close to Mr Burnham said he was planning to rebrand the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to make it a “super department” with additional responsibility for Britain’s nations and regions.

Mr Burnham has repeatedly called for greater devolution and for city mayors to be given more powers over taxation, planning and local services. He is also planning to create a “No 10 in the North” as part of a drive to shift decision-making away from Whitehall.

• Full story: Nandy tipped for ‘Prescott-like’ devolution role
• Runners and riders: Who could serve in Burnham’s Cabinet?

Burnham not expected to wear suit and tie

Andy Burnham is not expected to wear a suit and tie when he becomes prime minister today, breaking with tradition.

The former Greater Manchester mayor has become known for his signature look of a T-shirt and blazer, complete with a lapel badge with the city’s bee motif.

The Sunday Times reported that Mr Burnham would deviate from tradition by ditching a shirt and tie unless he was in the Commons chamber for special events.

His more relaxed outfit choices will be part of his attempt to craft his image as a man of the people – from outside the Westminster bubble – who has ascended to the highest office in the country.

He will not be the first prime minister to abandon the suit and tie. Sir Keir Starmer would often give speeches without a tie and with rolled-up sleeves, but the outgoing PM did wear a suit for his maiden speech after entering No 10.

Sir Tony Blair was also known to abandon the suit jacket for press conferences and was pictured in a short-sleeved shirt in 1995.

Burnham’s Thames Water battle risks a £20bn bill

When Andy Burnham sits down at the Cabinet table on Monday, bond markets will be scrutinising his every move like a hawk.

Gilt traders, still scarred by Liz Truss’s disastrous mini-Budget, are acutely aware that Burnham’s past pledges to ramp up public spending mean Britain’s debts could spiral quickly.

But if the bond vigilantes start to push for a showdown with the new Labour Government, an even bigger financial skirmish awaits Mr Burnham over Thames Water.

If he attempts to nationalise the company, industry sources warn that he risks a significant backlash from the remorseless hedge funds that have spent the last two years trying to seize control of it.

A Government-led takeover of Thames would be tantamount to declaring war on some of Wall Street’s most fearless vulture funds – many of whom treat litigation as a core part of their financial strategies.

• Full story: How Burnham could provoke hedge funds’ ire

Burnham ‘must make growth his priority’

Andy Burnham must make growing the economy his “number one priority”, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has said.

The BCC, which represents 50,000 businesses and about six million workers, urged the incoming prime minister to focus on economic growth in order to tackle his other priorities, including the cost of living.

Shevaun Haviland, the director-general of the BCC, told Times Radio: “He needs to come in, day one, and show that he understands, really understands that the way to fix the cost of living crisis, to get better public services, is growing our economy.

“The cost of living crisis and the cost of doing business crisis are two sides of the same coin. If we have growing businesses that are able to invest, that means they hire people, that means more jobs, better paid jobs, [it] fixes the cost of living, more taxes back to the Chancellor, more teachers and nurses.

“And he needs to show that he actually understands that as number one priority.”

First stop, the nuclear bunker: Inside a new PM’s first 24 hours

Few prime ministers in history have been able to ready themselves for their first day in No 10 for so long and with as much certainty as Andy Burnham.

Most of them had to win a general election to get there. Others had to win a leadership contest. Burnham has had to do neither, but no amount of preparation in the weeks that he has known the job is his can be enough for one of the longest and most important days of his life.

The first 24 hours of any prime minister’s tenure are a non-stop round of decisions, appointments, meetings and announcements with potentially far-reaching consequences.

Burnham will at least have one advantage over his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer: he has been in government before. But if he expects to be handed a list of jobs to work through, he will be in for a nasty surprise: everyone will be looking to him for direction, rather than guiding him through a series of formalities.

It is a day that will take in Buckingham Palace,  Downing Street, a phone call from Donald Trump and the ominous letters of last resort.

• A security briefing and seeing the King: How Burnham’s first day will unfold

Starmer: I’m leaving Britain better than I found it

Sir Keir Starmer has declared that he is leaving Britain in a better state than he found it.

The outgoing Prime Minister shared a three-minute montage highlighting policy achievements including his ongoing support for Ukraine, the Hillsborough Law, a social media ban for under-16s and action to save British Steel.

Sir Keir said: “I am so proud that we leave the country in a much better state than we found it two years ago, on the economy, on public services, on protection for children, on defence and security, and on our international reputation in particular.

“That’s the test for any Prime Minister: do you leave your country in a better place than you found it? And that test, and that answer, is a yes.”

The video featured an appearance from Mark Rutte, the Nato secretary general of Nato, who said of Sir Keir: “Your country is better off for having had him as Prime Minister. He is the one who kept the charge going when he comes to Ukraine.”

Telegraph View: How will Burnham deal with a global order in crisis?

Mr Burnham is a peculiarly insular politician in a globalised world. The “Manchesterism” he espouses dates from a time when the city was a free-trade industrial powerhouse within the world’s greatest empire.

Today, the term is used to extol the virtues of a new bus network. Mr Burham’s horizons are narrow in the extreme, and we have no idea what his foreign policy will entail.

His only stated position has been to decry the way Labour was too pro-Israel after the Oct 7 murders of more than 1,200 people, and to repeat his predecessor’s desire for closer EU ties. This was a deliberate attempt to appease Left-wing and Muslim voters who have been voting Green in protest at Labour’s policy.

Once again, he puts his party before the national interest. What are his views on the trans-Atlantic alliance given Donald Trump’s apparent disdain for the new Prime Minister? An early visit to Washington of the sort beloved by past prime ministers seems highly unlikely, and yet for whoever is in the White House this remains the UK’s most important relationship.

• Telegraph View: Burnham seems ill-prepared for the world stage
• David Blair: Incoming prime minister already a global laughing stock

Burnham ally defends lack of mandate

One of Andy Burnham’s staunchest supporters has defended his lack of mandate or detailed policy programme for the country.

Melanie Ward, the Labour MP for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy, insisted her party had installed Mr Burnham because it had “listened to what the electorate was telling us”.

Ms Ward was asked by BBC Radio 4’s Today programme whether she could think of a prime minister who started their time in power with such little democratic legitimacy.

She replied: “I just don’t think that’s right. With respect, we live in a parliamentary democracy and one of the things that distinguishes what is happening now from the changes in prime minister that took place under the last Conservative governments was that we have acted in response to what the public have told us.

“The public was very, very clear about that. And I think Andy has been clear, he’s set out speeches about the economy, the way he wants to reshape things. It’s big change that he’s talking about, a massive council housebuilding programme, looking at change in public transport, looking at how we take on vested interests in the water companies.”

Starmer to address nation for final time

Sir Keir Starmer is to address the nation for the final time as Prime Minister on Monday morning.

The outgoing Prime Minister will depart No 10 for the last time on Monday morning after spending just over two years in office.

He will be replaced by Andy Burnham, whose victory at the Makerfield by-election hastened Sir Keir’s exit following months of growing pressure to resign.

Sir Keir, who is expected to return to the backbenches as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras, guided Labour to a 411-seat landslide victory in July 2024, less than five years after its worst post-war electoral defeat under Jeremy Corbyn.

However, his premiership was blighted by a series of scandals and more than a dozen significant about-turns on issues including cuts to winter fuel payments, the two-child benefit cap and a national inquiry into grooming gangs.

Following his speech, Sir Keir will visit the King and recommend that he allows Mr Burnham to form a government.

Full story: Burnham plots new era of big state

Andy Burnham is poised to extend the reach of the state, with the National Lottery among his proposed targets for a campaign of nationalisations, The Telegraph can reveal.

The Labour leader, who will succeed Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister on Monday, is eyeing public ownership of key industries, in a move that will be seen as an attack on business.

It is understood that Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, is pushing for the National Lottery to be among the companies nationalised, amid concerns about the current operator’s performance.

Mr Burnham is considering temporarily taking Thames Water into government hands to resolve the company’s debt crisis and will look to put more housing stock on the public balance sheet.

Government sources are also preparing for an expansion of Labour’s plans to bring local bus services into public ownership, following a model pioneered by Mr Burnham in Greater Manchester.

• Read more: Burnham set to launch campaign of nationalisations

Good morning

Dominic Penna here, The Telegraph’s Senior Political Correspondent, guiding you through Andy Burnham’s first day as prime minister.

Mr Burnham enters No 10 this lunchtime after becoming Labour leader unopposed.

Sir Keir Starmer swept to power with a majority of 403 seats at the 2024 general election two years ago but soon lost the support of the public and eventually his own MPs following a string of scandals and major about-turns.

The outgoing Prime Minister initially blocked Mr Burnham from standing as the Labour candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election in February. However, following Labour’s local elections bloodbath in May, Sir Keir’s political authority had drained away to such an extent that he had no choice but to allow Mr Burnham to stand at the Makerfield by-election.

Mr Burnham returned to Westminster following a resounding victory on June 18 and Sir Keir resigned just four days later, admitting with “good grace” that he had lost the support of his party. The newly-minted MP for Makerfield then became Labour leader unopposed as his rivals abandoned their own leadership hopes.

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