New PM Andy Burnham Pledges Cost Of Living Action And An End To Rough Sleeping In First Speech
Andy Burnham has replaced Keir Starmer as the new prime minister of the United Kingdom (Alamy)
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to end rough sleeping and bring in new measures to help the public with cost-of-living pressures in a Downing Street speech.
Burnham addressed the nation on Monday afternoon before entering No 10 to begin his premiership, after having been confirmed as leader of the Labour Party on Friday as the only eligible candidate.
Outlining his first plans for power, 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.”
He went on to pledge that his first instruction in office will be to “end rough sleeping in our country”, as he wants to “help people to live well” by “building a more preventative state, investing in people's success rather than paying for failure”.
The new PM also confirmed the government will bring forward a new 10-year plan for Britain later this year, and said his government would change the education system to give young people more support, and build more homes across the country.
Andy Burnham was greeted by supporters on Downing Street before giving his first speech as PM (Alamy)
Echoing comments by outgoing prime minister Keir Starmer on Monday morning, Burnham said he wanted to build a “new national sense of unity” and “common purpose”.
Burnham arrived at Downing Street after coming straight from meeting King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, accompanied by his wife Marie-France van Heel.
He delivered the speech outside No 10 without notes and without the traditional lectern used by prime ministers.
Among those greeting Burnham when he arrived in Downing Street were long-time allies and advisers from his time as Manchester mayor, including his friend and ally, Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram; former Labour MP for Makerfield Josh Simons, who gave up his seat to allow Burnham to stand in the by-election; and former footballer Peter Reid, who has campaigned for Burnham.
Burnham, who won the Makerfield by-election in June to become prime minister, is expected to begin appointing his cabinet on Monday afternoon.
