LONDON (AP) — Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester and new leader of the Labour Party, became Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade on Monday.
Burnham replaced the unpopular Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation to end a tenure of just two years in office.
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Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his wife Marie-France van Heel wave as they arrive at 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Sir Clive Alderton, Principal Private Secretary to the King and Queen, right, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his wife Marie-France van Heel, as they leave Buckingham Palace in London after an audience with King Charles III, where he was invited to become Prime Minister and form a new government, Monday July 20, 2026. (Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his wife Marie-France van Heel arrive at 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham speaks to staff and media at 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham speaks to staff and media at 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his wife Marie-France van Heel wave as they arrive at 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Britain's King Charles III welcomes Andy Burnham, left, during an audience at Buckingham Palace, London, where he invited the leader of the Labour Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government, Monday July 20, 2026. (Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's King Charles III welcomes Andy Burnham, during an audience at Buckingham Palace, London, where he invited the leader of the Labour Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government, Monday July 20, 2026. (Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's King Charles III welcomes Andy Burnham, left, during an audience at Buckingham Palace, London, where he invited the leader of the Labour Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government, Monday July 20, 2026. (Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)
Sir Clive Alderton, left, Principal Private Secretary to the King and Queen, left, greets outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria, as he arrives at Buckingham Palace in London, Monday July 20, 2026. (Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks as he leaves 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Britain's King Charles III welcomes outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during an audience at Buckingham Palace in London, Monday July 20, 2026. (Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks as he leaves 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
Britain's outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks as he leaves 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026..(AP Photo/Thomas Krych)
Britain's outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer hugs Ben Nunn as he leaves 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Britain's outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer receives applause as he leaves 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Britain's outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks as he leaves 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
A protester wears a face mask mocking Andy Burnham outside Downing Street as Labour Party leader Andy Burnham is set to become the U.K.'s new prime minister on Monday, succeeding Keir Starmer in London, Monday, July 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Larry the cat, Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, sits on the doorstep to No10 Downing Street as Labour Party leader Andy Burnham is set to become the U.K.'s new prime minister, succeeding Keir Starmer in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Workers put up a lectern for the speech of Britain's outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Thomas Krych)
The statue of Winston Chruchill is silhouetted against the sky with the backdrop of the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known as Big Ben, as Labour Party leader Andy Burnham is set to become the U.K.'s new prime minister on Monday, succeeding Keir Starmer in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Thomas Krych)
Reporters prepare in Downing Street as Labour Party leader Andy Burnham is set to become the U.K.'s new prime minister on Monday, succeeding Keir Starmer in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
A camera screen shows the No10 door in Downing Street as Labour Party leader Andy Burnham is set to become the U.K.'s new prime minister, succeeding Keir Starmer in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Thomas Krych)
Newly confirmed Labour Party leader Andy Burnham speaks with local stakeholders and party supporters during a visit to Gravesend Town Pier, Gravesend , England, Friday July 17, 2026. (Gareth Fuller/PA via AP)
Newly confirmed Labour Party leader Andy Burnham speaks with local stakeholders and party supporters during a visit to Gravesend Town Pier, Gravesend , England, Friday July 17, 2026. (Gareth Fuller/PA via AP)
Andy Burnham speaks after being confirmed as the Labour Party's new leader and the country's next prime minister, during 'Labour's Special Conference' in central London, Friday July 17, 2026. (Henry Nicholls/Pool Photo via AP)
Speaking outside 10 Downing St. minutes after being formally appointed by King Charles III, Burnham, 56, pledged to ease the cost of living for ordinary people, decentralize political power, revitalize industry and end street sleeping by homeless people.
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Andy Burnham is digging into his overflowing in-tray on his first day as Britain’s prime minister.
In the coming hours he will appoint his new Cabinet, after sweeping away several senior figures from Keir Starmer’s administration, including Treasury chief Rachel Reeves and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy.
And he says that on Tuesday he will announce the first of his plans to help people with the cost of living.
Burnham says he “would not want to leave office” without improving Britain’s patchy access to social care for those who need it because of age, illness or disability.
It’s a pressing issue in a country with an aging population, and one that has foxed previous Labour and Conservative governments.
Burnham, who has firsthand experience of the issue because his father has Alzheimer’s, says there needs to be a “conversation with the public” about how to pay for long-term care. At present many people must spend all their savings and sell their property to pay for care.
Burnham told reporters that the status who is “not defensible. How many people have lost their homes and their savings in that time? We need to face it and fix it.”
Some of the government’s top ministers have announced they will not be serving in Burnham’s Cabinet.
David Lammy, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister, said on X that he “would have been proud to continue serving in Cabinet, but a new Prime Minister is entitled to build his own team.”
Rachel Reeves said it was the “privilege of my life” to serve as Treasury chief, and wished her successor luck.
Burnham is expected to announce his new Cabinet in coming hours.
Andy Burnham says his top priority is easing the cost of living for ordinary people, but he won’t take any risks with the economy.
Britain’s new prime minister told reporters in the garden of 10 Downing St. that he will take economic measures “that people will feel and feel quite quickly” in their pocketbooks. He said “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.”
Burnham has said he’ll give more details on Tuesday.
He said that he has “always taken a very prudent approach” to the economy in previous jobs, and that will continue now he is leader. He says funding plans “will be clearly set out in our budget.”
President Donald Trump has spoken to Burnham, the White House said Monday, without providing details.
It was one of Burnham’s first phone calls since he entered No.10 Downing Street.
Burnham, who has little foreign policy experience, has said that Britain will remain a firm United States ally.
Relations with the U.S. could depend on how he interacts with a Trump, who initially gave Starmer glowing reviews only to sour on him for not supporting his war with Iran.
Congratulating Burnham, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X that he was “looking forward to our conversation later today,” adding that the “foundation of our bilateral relations is stronger than ever, and we will continue to make each other stronger.”
Burnham’s predecessor, Keir Starmer, who stood down earlier, was a high-profile supporter of Ukraine in its war with Russia. He said he had provided the country with “political, defense, and values-based support.”
Burnham, who has very little foreign policy experience, has said he will continue to provide Ukraine with the support it needs.
In an interview with The Times published Sunday, Burnham revealed that his father’s illness meant he was not aware his son is taking the nation’s top job.
“That’s a sadness because he would be (proud),” Burnham was quoted as saying. “It’s a family achievement … although he doesn’t know it, it still makes me feel that we’ve kind of done something together.”
He added that he recently visited his dad in his care home, alongside his two brothers and his mother. Burnham’s father Roy was a longtime Labour supporter and was a big influence in setting him on the path to politics, according to the article.
Financial markets, however, will assess Andy Burnham’s actions over the coming weeks and months to see if there is a marked change in economic direction.
There is growing speculation that Burnham will appoint the current home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, rather than Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. Many in the markets appear to have been spooked by the prospect of Miliband at the Treasury.
Any unease would likely be felt in the bond markets, where investors are already charging the U.K. higher interest rates than its peers for borrowing purposes. The U.K.’s public finances remain fragile and there’s not much room for higher spending unless Burnham raises taxes. However, Labour was elected on a manifesto pledge that it would not raise the key revenue-raising taxes, such as income tax.
With Burnham now installed as prime minister, attention turns to his choices for Cabinet, particularly the key post of Treasury chief.
The appointment will be pivotal because the head of the Treasury Department, formally known as chancellor of the exchequer, controls tax and spending decisions.
Burnham’s choice will give clues about his plans as he faces the immense task of kick-starting a sluggish economy so that growing companies and increased output boost government revenue without raising taxes.
The decision has been considered finely balanced between Ed Miliband, the outgoing energy secretary, and Shabana Mahmood, the current home secretary.
While Miliband comes from the party’s left wing, Mahmoud is seen as more conservative and has the advantage of being something of a blank slate in terms of economic positions, allowing Burnham to fully take the lead on the economy.
The other top jobs are defense secretary, foreign secretary and home secretary, who controls immigration and policing.
Burnham says his first calls to foreign leaders will be to U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,
Burnham has spent a decade as mayor of Greater Manchester and has little experience of international affairs.
A big question is how he will get along with Trump, the unpredictable leader of the U.K.’s closest ally.
Burnham says he wants to reassure Ukraine that “I will be with him 100%” and “Britain’s support is steadfast, it is resolute.”
One of the most solemn moments of Burnham’s first day will be the realization that he has the power to launch Britain’s nuclear missiles.
That will become clear when the U.K.’s top civil servant asks him to write “last resort letters” to the captains of the country’s four nuclear-armed submarines telling them what to do if the civilian leadership is wiped out by a nuclear attack.
It is a duty unique to Britain, where there is no “nuclear football,” the briefcase containing targeting data and launch codes that accompanies U.S. presidents wherever they go.
The letters are placed on each submarine inside safes that are to be opened only if their captains are certain Britain’s civilian leaders are dead.
The letters are destroyed unread when a new prime minister takes office. But it is believed there are four options: retaliate, don’t retaliate, use your own judgment, or put your weapons under the command of the U.S. or Australia.
In his first speech as prime minister, Burnham sketched out some of his priorities, though he offered no details and said he would set out some of the measures on Tuesday.
Burnham said he would decentralize power and help make essentials affordable again under the cost of living squeeze.
Burnham said he would back British industry and “reindustrialize Britain.”
He pledged to bring the welfare bill down and build more social housing, as well as be more supportive of the underfunded education system.
He also vowed to “end rough sleeping in this country,” referring to homeless people sleeping in the open.
European Council President Antonio Costa congratulated Burnham on his new job.
“In the last two years EU-UK relations gained a new, positive momentum. I look forward to continuing to further deepen our cooperation for the benefit of our citizens and businesses, he said in a message on X.
“The United Kingdom and the European Union are stronger together,” he added.
The U.K. left the European Union after a referendum a decade ago.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham entered Downing Street regaled by the applause traditional for a new leader.
The first time a prime minister walks through the uber-polished door of 10 Downing St., household staff and civil servants by custom line the entrance and clap for the new leader and his senior team.
It is Burnham’s introduction to the people he will live and work with, most of whom served his predecessor only a few hours earlier.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham says politicians “need to be better” in his first speech as Britain’s leader.
He is promising to deliver a “circuit breaker” for a system he says has taken wrong turns since the 1980s.
Burnham spoke outside 10 Downing St. minutes after he was formally asked to form a government by King Charles III.
In a break with tradition, Burnham ditched using a lectern, speaking in front of two microphones outside the famous shiny black door of the prime minister’s residence.
Prime ministers typically speak from a lectern clad with the royal crest that features a lion and a unicorn, the national animals, respectively, of England and Scotland.
In order to challenge Starmer for the Labour Party’s leadership position, Burnham had to take a big political gamble.
He first had to win a seat in Parliament and then amass the necessary support to launch a bid to topple Starmer.
As internal pressure mounted in May for Starmer to resign, Josh Simons, the Labour lawmaker for the seat of Makerfield near Manchester, stepped down, triggering a special election.
It was no shoe-in.
The anti-immigration Reform UK party had recently devastated Labour in local elections in the area, which had led to calls for Starmer’s resignation.
The bet paid off for Burnham, who is well-known and popular in the area, and he breezed to victory when the votes were tallied June 19.
Dozens of Labour lawmakers cheered as he was sworn in June 22.
Starmer ultimately stepped down and Burnham faced no opposition in running to become party leader.
Dark T-shirts and dark jeans are typically part of the work uniform for Burnham, who is seen as a more relaxed and natural communicator compared to the buttoned-up Starmer.
But he changed out of his usual casual wear on Monday, donning a dark suit, white dress shirt and blue tie as he met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace to get the formal go-ahead to become prime minister.
Andy Burnham has formally accepted an invitation from King Charles III to form a government.
Buckingham Palace has released a photo of the two men shaking hands. The ceremony known as “kissing hands” marks the transfer of power from former leader Keir Starmer to Burnham.
Burnham replaced Starmer as leader of the center-left governing Labour Party last week.
Burnham was chosen as Labour Party leader by 379 fellow lawmakers after Starmer said he was resigning. Because Labour holds a majority in government, its leader also becomes the U.K. prime minister.
Under Britain’s parliamentary democracy system, governing parties can change leaders midterm, with the winner becoming prime minister without the need for a general election. Prime ministers can be replaced if one has resigned as leader of their party, or been forced out by a leadership challenge.
It’s not unusual for British prime ministers to come to power without a broad election. In fact, four of the six British prime ministers in the past decade took the top job by winning internal party leadership contests to replace their predecessors, not by public vote.
Andy Burnham has arrived at Buckingham Palace to be appointed Britain’s new prime minister.
Burnham is set to meet King Charles III, who will ask him to form a government.
It comes soon after Keir Starmer went to the palace and formally resigned.
The king’s role harkens back to a time when the monarch exercised supreme power and chose a prime minister to run the government.
Today, the king has no political power, but the monarch still officially offers the job to the leader of the party that can command a majority in the House of Commons.
Starmer and his family left the palace privately.
While he was seen arriving in a chauffeured black car, helicopter footage did not show Starmer leaving.
The change of British leadership happening inside Buckingham Palace coincided with the changing of the guard outside.
With King Charles III accepting Starmer’s resignation as prime minister in the Chinese drawing room, the guards who protect the palace were changing shift.
The heavily choreographed ceremony draws thousands of tourists several days a week.
A military band in scarlet tunics and bearskin hats marched from the palace to be replaced by a fresh detachment.
One of the biggest challenges facing Britain’s new prime minister is finding a way to kickstart the U.K.’s sluggish economy so that growing companies and increased output boost government revenue without raising taxes.
It’s a problem that has bedeviled every prime minister since the financial crisis of 2008. And their failure to solve it is part of the reason that Burnham is the U.K.’s eighth prime minister in the past 16 years.
The British economy has grown an average of less than 1.5% annually since 2009, compared with an annual average of 3% in the 15 years before the financial crisis.
While devising his economic plan, Burnham will be constrained by promises to reduce government debt, which now equals more than 95% of gross domestic product, the highest since the early 1960s, while not raising taxes on working people.
King Charles III has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Buckingham Palace said.
Starmer was accompanied by his wife, Victoria.
The palace said the king “was graciously pleased to accept” Starmer’s resignation.
Andy Burnham will soon head to the palace to get the king’s assent to become the next prime minister.
Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his wife Marie-France van Heel wave as they arrive at 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Sir Clive Alderton, Principal Private Secretary to the King and Queen, right, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his wife Marie-France van Heel, as they leave Buckingham Palace in London after an audience with King Charles III, where he was invited to become Prime Minister and form a new government, Monday July 20, 2026. (Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his wife Marie-France van Heel arrive at 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham speaks to staff and media at 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham speaks to staff and media at 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his wife Marie-France van Heel wave as they arrive at 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Britain's King Charles III welcomes Andy Burnham, left, during an audience at Buckingham Palace, London, where he invited the leader of the Labour Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government, Monday July 20, 2026. (Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's King Charles III welcomes Andy Burnham, during an audience at Buckingham Palace, London, where he invited the leader of the Labour Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government, Monday July 20, 2026. (Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's King Charles III welcomes Andy Burnham, left, during an audience at Buckingham Palace, London, where he invited the leader of the Labour Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government, Monday July 20, 2026. (Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)
Sir Clive Alderton, left, Principal Private Secretary to the King and Queen, left, greets outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria, as he arrives at Buckingham Palace in London, Monday July 20, 2026. (Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks as he leaves 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Britain's King Charles III welcomes outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during an audience at Buckingham Palace in London, Monday July 20, 2026. (Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks as he leaves 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
Britain's outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks as he leaves 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026..(AP Photo/Thomas Krych)
Britain's outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer hugs Ben Nunn as he leaves 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Britain's outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer receives applause as he leaves 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Britain's outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks as he leaves 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
A protester wears a face mask mocking Andy Burnham outside Downing Street as Labour Party leader Andy Burnham is set to become the U.K.'s new prime minister on Monday, succeeding Keir Starmer in London, Monday, July 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Larry the cat, Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, sits on the doorstep to No10 Downing Street as Labour Party leader Andy Burnham is set to become the U.K.'s new prime minister, succeeding Keir Starmer in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Workers put up a lectern for the speech of Britain's outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Thomas Krych)
The statue of Winston Chruchill is silhouetted against the sky with the backdrop of the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known as Big Ben, as Labour Party leader Andy Burnham is set to become the U.K.'s new prime minister on Monday, succeeding Keir Starmer in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Thomas Krych)
Reporters prepare in Downing Street as Labour Party leader Andy Burnham is set to become the U.K.'s new prime minister on Monday, succeeding Keir Starmer in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
A camera screen shows the No10 door in Downing Street as Labour Party leader Andy Burnham is set to become the U.K.'s new prime minister, succeeding Keir Starmer in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Thomas Krych)
Newly confirmed Labour Party leader Andy Burnham speaks with local stakeholders and party supporters during a visit to Gravesend Town Pier, Gravesend , England, Friday July 17, 2026. (Gareth Fuller/PA via AP)
Newly confirmed Labour Party leader Andy Burnham speaks with local stakeholders and party supporters during a visit to Gravesend Town Pier, Gravesend , England, Friday July 17, 2026. (Gareth Fuller/PA via AP)
Andy Burnham speaks after being confirmed as the Labour Party's new leader and the country's next prime minister, during 'Labour's Special Conference' in central London, Friday July 17, 2026. (Henry Nicholls/Pool Photo via AP)
