Labour’s deputy leader has explained the party’s decision to scrap Sir Keir Starmer’s flagship digital ID programme and broken her silence amid Cabinet speculation.
Lucy Powell told Laura Kuenssberg that the decision to scrap the project was about ensuring the government was “laser focused on the cost of living, laser focused on rewiring the economy, rewiring the political system in this country, and clearing the decks, if you like, from of all of the other things that might distract and take away from that in terms of the focus of the government”.
It comes ahead of an expected shake-up of the Foreign Office as senior Labour sources told The Independent that “lieutenants of Andy Burnham” have been reaching out to expertise within the party over how to reform the Foreign Office, with Ed Miliband considered for foreign secretary.
Ms Powell described media speculation around the Cabinet, to be announced on Monday, as "horribly and unedifying".
She appeared to row back on rumours that Mr Burnham intends to announce more drilling for oil and gas, saying that there would be “change of emphasis” on the North Sea, but the incoming PM would stick to the party’s manifesto commitments.
Read MoreAndy Burnham tells Labour: I’m your last chance
What some are already getting very wrong about Shabana Mahmood
Whatever happened to Andy Burnham, literary PM?
Key Points
- Burnham plots Foreign Office shake up
- Andy Burnham to ditch Starmer's controversial digital ID plans
- Burnham to make oil and gas field announcement
- Reform lead over Labour falls to just one percentage point
- Burnham will unveil cabinet on Monday
Starmer congratulates Three Lions as they clinch bronze in World Cup
10:15 , Bryony GoochSir Keir Starmer congratulated England’s footballers after they wrapped up their World Cup campaign and his time as prime minister with a thrilling 6-4 victory over France.
Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick with Ezri Konsa and Jude Bellingham also on target as England bounced back from their disappointment in losing to Argentina in the semi-final to clinch third place – their best World Cup finish outside winning the tournament in 1966.
Sir Keir, who will be replaced as Prime Minister by Andy Burnham on Monday, posted on X: “Great result tonight @England. You’ve done us proud.”
Great result tonight @England.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 18, 2026
You’ve done us proud. https://t.co/kS6nQ51NxI
Former PMs Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak offer advice to Andy Burnham
10:00 , Bryony Gooch
Former PMs Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak offer advice to incoming Andy Burnham
Scrapping digital ID 'not just about money', Lucy Powell said
09:38 , Bryony GoochMillie Cooke, political correspondent reports:
Scrapping digital ID is “not just about the money”, Labour’s deputy leader has said.
Lucy Powell told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg that the decision to scrap the project was about ensuring the government was “laser focused on the cost of living, laser focused on rewiring the economy, rewiring the political system in this country, and clearing the decks, if you like, from of all of the other things that might distract and take away from that in terms of the focus of the government”.
Asked how much money it would allow to be spent on other priorities, she said: “The OBR said it would cost, I think, £1.8 billion over the over the coming years.
“That’s not an insignificant amount of money. That will obviously be reprioritised and redistributed in different ways.
“But but as I say, it’s not just about the money. It’s actually about the attention and the focus, so that the the whole of government machinery can work in service of the agenda and the vision that the Labour government is setting out under under Andy Burnham, and I think that is important.”
Burnham will stick to manifesto commitments on North sea oil and gas, Labour deputy leader says
09:37 , Bryony GoochMillie Cooke, political correspondent reports:
There will be a “change of emphasis” on North Sea oil and gas, Labour's deputy leader has said, but insisted Andy Burnham would stick to the party’s manifesto commitments.
Lucy Powell told the BBC that reports the incoming prime minister could allow more drilling in the North Sea were “speculation” but added Mr Burnham would take a “more pragmatic approach”.
She said: “We’ve been really clear that the way to achieve, in the long term, energy security and lower bills is by ensuring that we do have our our own homegrown, clean, much cheaper energy.
“But we’ve been absolutely clear that North Sea gas and oil is an important part of that transition.“It’s an important part of the mix, and I think what Andy’s talking about is taking a more pragmatic approach and working with the industry to make sure that it can contribute to that transition and to the the mix that is needed over the long term.
“So let’s see what he’s got to say about that. But I don’t think it’s a change of policy. It’s more a change of emphasis.”
Speculation about Cabinet positions has been 'horrible and unedifying'
09:36 , Bryony GoochMillie Cooke, political correspondent reports:
Lucy Powell has said speculation and briefings about who could get what Cabinet positions has been "horribly and unedifying".
It comes despite Andy Burnham's pledge to end the culture of briefings in the party.
Asked about briefings against energy secretary Ed Miliband, Labour's deputy leader told BBC News: "There's been a lot of speculation in the in the media about various individuals, which has has been really quite horrible, to be honest, and unedifying.
"I know that as political journalists, you know maybe you've not had the story of the Labour leadership crisis to write about for the last few weeks because actually I'm really proud of the way in which the Labour Party has handled this transition and come together in a consensus around Andy Burnham being the next leader.
"And I think we've given a really good account of ourselves over these last few weeks.
"And maybe because political journalists haven't had all that to write about, you know, they're looking for other personalities and other disagreements to write about."
Andy Burnham is going to stick to Labour manifesto, Lucy Powell insists
09:25 , Bryony GoochMillie Cooke, political correspondent reports:
Andy Burnham is going to stick to Labour's manifesto, deputy leader Lucy Powell has said, but insisted he would still take "bigger, bolder measures" to change the country.
She told BBC Breakfast: "He is going to stick to our manifesto. He's been really clear about that, and our manifesto did talk about a redistribution of power. It did talk about rewiring the country, and it did talk about taking on some of those vested interests.
"But I think, from Andy's experience that he has had over the last 10 years, actually governing outside of Whitehall and the central government, he really understands the the bigger, bolder measures that are needed to actually live up to those that manifesto promises.
"And that's what he's about delivering. And I think you know this is an exciting agenda we can all get behind."
Lucy Powell to appear on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg
09:22 , Bryony GoochDeputy Labour leader Lucy Powell is about to appear on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.
We will bring you the top lines as we expect to hear more about what we can expect as her ally, Andy Burnham, enters 10 Downing Street on Monday.
'I couldn't understand why Keir Starmer was so unpopular', Boris Johnson said
09:20 , Bryony GoochMillie Cooke, political correspondent reports:
Boris Johnson has said he feels "a bit sorry" for Sir Keir Starmer, saying he "couldn't quite understand why he was so unbelievably unpopular".
Asked by Sky News what advice he would give the outgoing prime minister, Mr Johnson said: "I'd give the same advice that the late her Majesty the Queen, gave me, which was: there's absolutely no point in bitterness ever about these things. And it's a very good piece of advice."
"And you can see why, from the monarch's point of view, that's the right thing for the country. You know, you don't want politicians feuding with other politicians once they they left office, but it's also the right thing personally, for your own spiritual health and growth."
He added: "I did feel a bit sorry for Keir sometimes, and you know, sometimes I couldn't quite understand why he was so unbelievably unpopular.
"I mean, I could see he was doing a lot of terrible things, but I couldn't see personally. He didn't strike me as being a bad guy. Really, I mean, you know, he's totally misguided. He's a hopeless lawyer. He does lots of terrible things."
Boris Johnson: Clacton by-election 'shouldn't be happening'
09:15 , Bryony GoochMillie Cooke, political correspondent reports:
Boris Johnson has said the Clacton by-election shouldn't be happening, suggesting satirical candidate Count Binface was right when he said a vote for him would prevent a second by-election.
If Nigel Farage wins the upcoming by-election, which was called after he resigned earlier this month, he could face a second by-election if the Parliamentary Standards Committee suspends him for more than ten days and 10 per cent of his constituents sign a recall petition.
Mr Johnson told Sky News: "I don't see the need for this by-election, to be perfectly honest... I thought its been a very peculiar bi-election and it shouldn't be happening."
He added: "All I say is this: I thought Binface had a decent point. Count Binface said that a vote for him would actually preclude a secondary the expense of. of a second by-election. So you know anybody like that? That's a reasonable point."
Boris Johnson suggests politicians should 'dial down' rhetoric to tackle political violence
09:07 , Bryony GoochMillie Cooke, political correspondent reports:
Boris Johnson has suggested politicians should "dial down" their rhetoric to tackle political violence, arguing that it's "expensive and pointless" to raise everyone's security.
Asked about growing calls for increased security in the wake of Ann Widdecombe's death, he told Sky News: "In my lifetime, in my political sort of career, it has become more rebarbative, right?
"You know, I think people are more verbally aggressive with each other, don't you feel? I feel it's got a bit coarser, a bit rougher... And so what I think about all this is that actually it's probably expensive and pointless to try and raise everybody's level of security.
"But what we could do is dial down the general level of of invective."
Burnham wants 'unstoppable' return to free movement, Johnson claims
08:58 , Bryony GoochMillie Cooke, political correspondent reports:
Andy Burnham wants an "unstoppable" return to free movement, Boris Johnson has claimed.
Speaking to Sky News, the former prime minister said: "When Andy Burnham says he wants to go closer to the European Union or whatever he's saying, when he says he wants to have a new relationship or a reset, what they want is a return to free movement.
"And they'll start with students and and all that nonsense. And then it'll become absolutely unstoppable."
Boris Johnson: Burnham must get a grip on spending
08:45 , Bryony GoochMillie Cooke, political correspondent reports:
Boris Johnson has urged Andy Burnham to "get a grip on spending" and "give investors in this country a sense of hope" when he takes over as prime minister.
The former prime minister told Sky News he wishes Mr Burnham well, but said that - like Rishi Sunak - he "hasn’t got much time” with a public “doomscrolling through prime ministers”.
He added: “He needs to get on and he needs to give investors in this country a sense of hope about it.“
And that means he needs to find reasons to buy British, get stuck in and he needs to stop the haemorrhage of talent.“
And he needs to think about what he’s doing on tax. And Labour needs to get a grip on spending.”
Thames Water to be put 'under administration' - report
08:30 , Bryony GoochAndy Burnham is reportedly thinking of putting Britain’s biggest water company, supplying 16 million customers across the south of England, into a special administration regime.
Thames Water warned it will run out of money by the end of the year unless a deal can be agreed between its creditors as it currently owes them £17 billion.
The Sunday Times reported that Mr Burnham could push for the company to temporarily come under government control.
It comes after Mr Burnham pledged to take greater “public control” of water and energy with the “courage to fix the big things that politics has neglected”.
Front Page: Miliband tipped to lead shake-up of Foreign Office
08:15 , Bryony Gooch
Watch: How much do the public really know about their new PM Andy Burnham?
08:00 , Bryony GoochEd Miliband is expected to be asked to reform the Foreign Office
07:40 , Bryony GoochExclusive: Ed Miliband now widely expected to get the foreign secretary job as Labour sources tell The Independent that Team Burnham has been discussing major reform of the FCDO and a ‘roadmap’ back to spending 0.7 per cent of GDP on overseas aid.
Read more here:
Burnham plots Ed Miliband Foreign Office shake-up as he readies day-one policy blitz
Recap: Burnham will scrap digital ID to focus on cost of living
07:20 , Bryony GoochAndy Burnham will scrap Sir Keir Starmer’s flagship digital ID programme when he takes office on Monday.
Mr Burnham’s team described the move as a “reset of priorities”, with money earmarked for implementing digital ID redirected to more “tangible” improvements to people’s lives.
A spokesperson for the incoming prime minister said his Government would “put its focus where people need it right now”.
They added: “That means all the time and resource that was going to be spent on a national ID scheme will go instead to where it’s most needed, such as helping with the cost of living.”
Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters march in central London on Saturday
07:01 , Holly BancroftThousands of pro-Palestine protesters descended on central London on Saturday for a march calling on Andy Burnham to take a hard line on Israel.
There was a strong presence of uniformed officers for Saturday’s National March for Palestine where the Metropolitan Police had imposed strict conditions under the Public Order Act to prevent serious disruption to residents.
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn stood at the front of the Palestine Coalition-organised march as it made its way from Russell Square to Westminster.
He said his message to Mr Burnham, the new Labour leader who is set to become prime minister on Monday, is: “Your country is involved in supporting the acts of genocide – stop it, change it and shut the arms supply to Israel.”
Mr Burnham said last week “my party didn’t get it right and I am sorry about that” as he pledged to “strengthen our approach”.
The Makerfield MP said the UK was too slow to call for a ceasefire and should look at further sanctions.
John Rentoul: What the choice of Shabana Mahmood tells us about the new prime minister
06:00 , Bryony Gooch
What the choice of Shabana Mahmood tells us about the new prime minister
Pictured: Lammy spotted on Downing Street on Saturday ahead of Burnham's Monday arrival
05:00 , Bryony Gooch
Watch: Andy Burnham tells Gary Lineker he'll bring the joy of holidays and pints back to people's lives
04:00 , Bryony GoochWhy Britain is getting a new prime minister without a general election
03:00 , Bryony GoochVeteran Labour Party politician and popular former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is set to become Britain’s next prime minister on Monday, formally taking over from Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation last month.
Here’s why he’s entering 10 Downing Street on Monday:
Why Britain is getting a new prime minister without a general election
Pictured: The press area in Downing Street, London, ahead of Burnham's Monday arrival
02:00 , Bryony Gooch
Watch: Andy Burnham admits his makes his tea milk-first
01:00 , Bryony GoochIn pictures: Protesters stand outside Downing St calling on Burnham to stand up for Palestine
Sunday 19 July 2026 00:00 , Bryony Gooch
Recap Watch: Removal van seen on Downing Street minutes after Burnham crowned new Labour leader
Saturday 18 July 2026 23:00 , Bryony GoochReform lead over Labour falls to just one percentage point
Saturday 18 July 2026 22:38 , Holly BancroftReform is leading Labour by only one percentage point in a new opinion poll for by Opinium forThe Observer.
Ahead of Andy Burnham’s start at Number 10 on Monday, polling of around 1,500 potential voters has Reform at 23 per cent, Labour at 22, and the Conservatives at 20.
The Greens are down two per cent to 14 and the Lib Dems are on 11 per cent.
🚨 Latest Opinium @ObserverUK poll 🚨
— Opinium (@OpiniumResearch) July 18, 2026
Reform's lead slashed to only 1 point over Labour.
➡️ REF 23% (-1) (lowest since 2024)
🌹 LAB 22% (+3) (highest since April 2026)
🌳 CON 20% (+2) (highest since April 2025)
🌍 GRN 14% (-2)
🔶 LD 11% (-1) pic.twitter.com/IV5BKvXHCl
Burnham 'expected to put Thames Water into special administration'
Saturday 18 July 2026 22:23 , Holly BancroftAndy Burnham is expected to put Thames Water into a special administration regime, that allows essential services to keep running until a buyer is found, in one of his first acts as prime minister, The Times is reporting.
The former mayor of Greater Manchester has pledged to take greater “public control” of the nation’s utilities.
If the new Labour government does try to nationalise Thames Water then the group of investors, who are bidding for Britain’s biggest water company, could challenge the decision in the courts, Sky reported.
The firm’s net debt is at £18.5bn and it has said it only has enough debt funding to keep the business going until the end of 2026.
Thames Water chief executive Chris Weston had his pay increased from £1.035m to £1.163m this year and £4.1m was paid out in bonuses to other directors, up from £2.8m the previous year.
Burnham urged to stick to Labour manifesto on North Sea oil
Saturday 18 July 2026 22:00 , Bryony Gooch
Andy Burnham urged to stick to Labour manifesto on North Sea oil
Andy Burnham to ditch Sir Keir Starmer's controversial digital ID plans
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:34 , Holly BancroftAndy Burnham will signal a major break with the Keir Starmer government by ditching controversial £2bn plans to introduce digital ID, Political Editor David Maddox writes.
The policy had been strongly opposed by many Labour MPs who saw it as a waste of money, as well as an assault on individual liberty and an echo of what Tony Blair and Gordon Brown attempted to introduce previously.
Sir Keir, who claimed it was essential for preventing illegal working, had already had to U-turn on plans to make it compulsory because of internal opposition and now the scheme is set to be scrapped altogether.
The move comes as Mr Burnham is expected to ruthlessly overhaul many of the problems which left Sir Keir’s government under siege.
Sources have also said he plans to scrap the reforms to water down the right to a jury trial, and restore rebel MP Karl Turner to the parliamentary party after he was suspended for opposing the proposal.
Burnham to ditch Starmer’s £2bn digital ID scheme to signal change of direction
Rishi Sunak’s advice for incoming PM Andy Burnham
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:00 , Bryony GoochRishi Sunak has stressed the importance of appointing the “most able” ministers to the jobs that most mattered to a prime minister’s priorities.
The former prime minister offered advice to Andy Burnham ahead of the start of his premiership on Monday.
While attention has focused on whether Ed Miliband or Shabana Mahmood will be chancellor, the former prime minister said it was the choice of foreign secretary that would be the most important.
He wrote in The Sunday Times: “Burnham wants to spend less time on international affairs than his predecessor did, but this will begin to be possible only if he has a foreign secretary who is sufficiently well known and respected on the global stage to stand in for him.”
But he suggested that this would only go so far, urging Mr Burnham to secure one-on-one meetings with other world leaders given “the extent to which personal relationships influence international diplomacy”.
Inside Burnham’s roundabout route to No 10, according to his allies
Saturday 18 July 2026 20:00 , Bryony GoochHearing from allies of incoming prime minister Andy Burnham, Dan Haygarth tracks the year that saw the mayor of Greater Manchester set his sights on Number 10.
Read more here:
Inside Burnham’s roundabout route to No 10, according to those who know him best
Watch: How much do the public really know about their new PM Andy Burnham?
Saturday 18 July 2026 19:00 , Bryony GoochBurnham plots Foreign Office shake up
Saturday 18 July 2026 18:28 , Holly BancroftAndy Burnham could put energy secretary Ed Miliband into the Foreign Office in a major shake-up, which is expected to include a roadmap to return the UK to spending 0.7 per cent of GDP on international aid, Labour sources have told David Maddox.
There is now a growing belief that Mr Miliband will be made foreign secretary, with explicit permission to prioritise tackling climate goals through the department, The Independent’s Political Editor hears.
He will also be seen as a more progressive foreign secretary in changing policy on the Middle East after Mr Burnham recently stated that policy towards the war in Gaza had “not been good enough”, suggesting there will be a tougher line taken on Israel.
Read the full story here:
Burnham plots Ed Miliband Foreign Office shake-up as he readies day-one policy blitz
Boris Johnson’s and Rishi Sunak’s advice for incoming PM Andy Burnham
Saturday 18 July 2026 17:16 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAs Andy Burnham prepares to become prime minister on Monday, his Conservative predecessors have lined up to give him their advice on succeeding in the job.
While Sir Keir Starmer has said he will not give his successor advice in public, other recent occupants of No 10 have been more forthcoming, stressing the pressures of time Mr Burnham will face.
Writing in The Sunday Times, Rishi Sunak urged Mr Burnham to “soak up every second” of his arrival in Downing Street, saying he regretted not allowing himself “a moment of reflection”.
But once inside, he added, it was “imperative” for a prime minister to “have a plan” for using their time most effectively, regularly engaging with MPs and driving “two or three” key priorities from No 10.
Amid speculation about Mr Burnham’s Cabinet picks, Mr Sunak also stressed the importance of appointing the “most able” ministers to the jobs that most mattered to a prime minister’s priorities.
Another of Mr Burnham’s predecessors, Boris Johnson, also offered the incoming prime minister some advice in an interview with Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips.
Mr Johnson said he wished Mr Burnham “well”, but like Mr Sunak said he “hasn’t got much time” with a public “doomscrolling through prime ministers”.
You can read more about what he had to say below:
Former PMs Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak offer advice to incoming Andy Burnham
Badenoch vows to give Burnham ‘a rude awakening’
Saturday 18 July 2026 16:27 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservatives has told the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg that she will “score as many points as possible” against Andy Burnham if it is the “right thing for the country”.
In an interview to be broadcast tomorrow, Ms Badenoch warned the incoming prime minister might face a “rude awakening” in office, branding him a “people pleaser”, saying that she would not give him a “blank cheque”.
It came after he promised to end the points scoring culture in British politics in his acceptance speech when officially becoming Labour leader on Friday. He claimed that it turned the British people off politics.
But Ms Badenoch said his plans so far seemed ‘airy fairy’ and that he had run away from taking tough decisions.
“I will score as many points as possible if it means the right thing for the country. What I'm not going to do is give Andy Burnham a blank cheque.”
With Mr Burnham ducking appearing on the show himself and sending deputy leader Lucy Powell, Ms Badenoch said: “This is a man who doesn't want scrutiny, he doesn't want anyone asking him tough questions, he just wants to be a people pleaser.
“What the country needs right now is someone who can take tough decisions, who can face down the Labour MPs that don't want to do anything difficult. And that is what worries me.”
She added: “I've met Andy Burnham before, actually just before I think I was on your show in Manchester at party conference. I like him, he's a nice guy, but he's the people pleaser. The job is not a popularity contest. It is making the lives of all of the people outside this building better. And he has not said what he's going to do. It's all airy-fairy stuff.”
MP tipped for ministerial role urges more action on crypto political donations
Saturday 18 July 2026 15:46 , Bryony GoochDavid Maddox, political editor, reports:
Joe Powell, a Labour MP tipped for a ministerial role, is pushing for the UK to tackle money laundering in London harder as a means of boosting international aid and preventing democracies being undermined by underhand money such as crypto currency donations.
In the wake of Sir Keir Starmer’s government put a temporary ban on crypto donations after Nigel Farage’s Reform UK started accepting them, he wants Andy Burnham’s government to go further and create an international alliance against crypto donations.
Mr Powell has been tipped as a potential anti corruption minister in Mr Burnham’s team.In a piece for the influential New Economic Forum, he warned: “There is surely no reason why political donations using cryptocurrency should be permitted, given the inherent difficulties in establishing the source of funds and making donor checks. The government has announced a moratorium on crypto donations in Britain, and it would be healthy for global democracy to build a coalition of countries to do the same.”
He wants a focus on the “opaque” London property market as part of an international effort to tackle the problem.
“Major cities in many G20 countries are grappling with a common challenge. In my constituency of Kensington and Bayswater in London, 40 per cent of the foreign-owned property is held in anonymous trusts: approximately 4,000 properties with hidden ownership, despite the introduction, after the invasion of Ukraine, of a register of overseas-owned properties. This major loophole incentivises more opaque ownership structures, which are only thrown open through leaks and investigations like the Panama and Paradise Papers.”
What voters really think about Burnham becoming PM
Saturday 18 July 2026 15:00 , Bryony GoochAs Andy Burnham prepares to take office, promising radical change and looking to move power out of London, Dan Haygarth and Jemma Robinson ask people in the capital about the incoming prime minister.
Read more here:
What voters think about Burnham becoming PM: ‘I don’t think he’s got a pot of gold’
Starmer loyalists expected to find themselves on the backbenches
Saturday 18 July 2026 14:29 , David MaddoxDavid Maddox, The Independent’s political editor:
A number of the more high profile ministers who were key members of sir Keir Starmer’s government are now expected to be on the backbenches once Andy Burnham names his top team.
Rachel Reeves has already said goodbye to her job as chancellor with a warning to Mr Burnham that he needs a plan.
But those joining her outside government are expected to be housing secretary Steve Reed, chief secretary to the PM Darren Jones, business secretary Peter Kyle, tech secretary Liz Kendall and, Sir Keir’s closest ally, attorney general Lord Hermer.
Ms Kendall’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is expected to be abolished while Mr Jones tried to launch a bid to become leader instead of Mr Burnham.
Mr Kyle could be replaced by the man he replaced, Jonathan Reynolds who was moved by Sir Keir to be chief whip.
Incoming into the cabinet include party chair Anna Turley and close Burnham ally Anneliese Midgley.
Police and crime commissioners issue a challenge to Burnham over special needs education crisis
Saturday 18 July 2026 14:24 , Bryony GoochDavid Maddox, The Independent’s political editor:
Andy Burnham has already been issued his first formal challenge less than 48 hours before officially becoming prime minister, with 21 of England’s police and crime commissioners from four different parties writing to him to take immediate action on special educational needs education (SEND).
The 21 commissioners - including 13 from the Tories, six from Labour, one from Reform and one Independent - have warned that a failure to tackle SEND in schools is seeing children and adults failed by the education system recruited into criminal gangs.
In a letter seen by The Independent, they warned: “As PCCs, we see at first hand the consequences of systems that fail vulnerable children. We recognise the immense pressures facing the SEND system and support efforts to improve outcomes for children, families and local authorities.
“However, we are concerned that reforms focused primarily on reducing costs or limiting access to specialist provision could have profound implications not only for education, but also for crime prevention, community safety and the long-term demands placed upon the criminal justice system.”
They have issued five demands:
- Protecting access to specialist provision for children with the most complex needs.
- Ensuring early intervention remains at the heart of the SEND system.
- Recognising educational engagement as a key protective factor against criminal exploitation and offending.
- Assessing the likely impact of reforms on rates of exclusion, absenteeism and disengagement from education.
- Incorporating crime prevention and public safety considerations into the overall reform programme.
Andy Burnham continues to duck media questions
Saturday 18 July 2026 14:00 , David MaddoxThere had been some expectation that Andy Burnham may finally put himself up for a proper grilling by journalists this weekend as he prepares to become prime minister on Monday.
But The Independent understands that he has declined to appear on Laura Kuenssberg’s flagship Sunday morning show on the BBC and focus on finalising his appointments instead.
The new Labour leader refused to take questions at a speech in Manchester when he launched his leadership campaign and then there was no press conference when he was unveiled as leader in an uncontested competition on Friday.
So far he has done a short interview with Andrew Marr on LBC but otherwise limited himself to social media videos, a public Q&A on Reddit and meeting members of the public in Cardiff.
Labour ripped up the Commons order paper last week to prevent a vote brought by the Tories on extending parliament by a day before the recess to allow him to answer questions from MPs.
