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Britain’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged immediate relief for households struggling with soaring living costs on Monday as he entered 10 Downing Street, promising a “different type of politics” aimed at restoring stability, rebuilding public trust and easing financial pressures on millions of families.
Delivering an unusually informal inaugural address outside Downing Street without a lectern or autocue, Burnham vowed to introduce an emergency “circuit breaker” package to provide what he described as much-needed “breathing space” for people grappling with the cost-of-living crisis.
The measures, expected to be unveiled on his first full day in office, will form the opening phase of an ambitious 10-year programme to reshape Britain’s economy and reform government, he said.
“Our country has endured years of instability. That isn’t good enough. We need to be better, and we will be better,” Burnham declared, referring to the political turbulence that has seen Britain cycle through seven prime ministers since 2016.
He pledged to replace what he described as years of short-term politics with a government focused on stability, respect and national unity.
Although Burnham stopped short of outlining specific policy measures, political analysts expect the government to consider targeted support including tax adjustments, subsidised energy tariffs, and additional assistance with food and transport costs to help households facing persistent inflationary pressures.
The new Prime Minister began his first day in office with a visit to a homeless shelter before arriving at Downing Street, signalling that tackling poverty and social inequality would be among his administration’s top priorities.
In his first executive decision, Burnham instructed ministers to begin work on ending rough sleeping across England, expanding an initiative he had championed during his time as Mayor of Greater Manchester.
He also pledged to decentralise political power, promising to transfer greater authority and resources from Westminster to local communities across the United Kingdom.
“We will spread power to every postcode in the land,” he said, arguing that local communities should have greater control over decisions affecting their lives.
Burnham’s speech also included deeply personal reflections on his family, highlighting his determination to reform Britain’s long-troubled adult social care system.
He was seen embracing his mother, Eileen, outside Downing Street and spoke emotionally about his father Roy’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease, saying the family’s experience had reinforced his commitment to delivering lasting improvements in care for older people.
Observers viewed the remarks as a signal that social care reform, an issue successive governments have struggled to resolve, will become a central priority of the new administration.
Behind the scenes, Burnham has already begun assembling his Cabinet while initiating contacts with key international leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was among the first world leaders to congratulate the new Prime Minister, expressing her hope for a stronger partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom.
Following his address, Burnham entered No. 10 Downing Street to begin the formal responsibilities of office, including signing the confidential “letters of last resort” addressed to the commanders of Britain’s nuclear submarines, setting out instructions in the event of a catastrophic attack on the country.
He concluded his first speech as Prime Minister with an appeal for national optimism after years of political upheaval. “This is the moment when Britain starts to believe again,” Burnham said.
His remarks marked the beginning of what is expected to be a challenging premiership, with immediate pressure to revive economic growth, tackle the cost-of-living crisis, reform public services and restore confidence in Britain’s political institutions.