By Oluwakemi Kindness
Andy Burnham will officially become Britain’s new Prime Minister on Monday, taking over from Keir Starmer after the Labour leader resigned just two years in office.
Burnham is expected to be invited by King Charles III to form a new government before delivering his first address outside 10 Downing Street.
In his inaugural speech, the former Greater Manchester mayor is expected to outline plans to restore public confidence in government, tackle the cost-of-living crisis, boost economic growth and devolve more powers to regional communities.
He is also expected to announce key cabinet appointments, including a new finance minister to replace Rachel Reeves.
Burnham takes office amid major challenges, including sluggish economic growth, rising government borrowing costs, high welfare spending and increasing public concern over irregular migration.
His government will also have to contend with global economic uncertainty, volatile energy prices and the impact of US foreign policy.
Deputy Labour leader, Lucy Powell said Burnham’s experience as Mayor of Greater Manchester had prepared him to deliver the “bigger, bolder” reforms needed to fulfil Labour’s election promises.
Burnham, who returned to Parliament only weeks ago, has described his leadership as Labour’s “last chance” to regain public trust ahead of the next general election expected in 2029.
His first policy move came on Saturday when he scrapped the previous government’s planned nationwide digital identity scheme, saying the funds would instead be redirected to help ease the cost-of-living pressures facing households.
