Andy Burnham has hit out at Brexit for ushering in a “decade of low growth” in his first address as prime minister in the House of Commons as Parliament returns from recess.
Mr Burnham listed Brexit in the “series of wrong turns” the country made since the 1980s and said that it had “compounded the problems” of deindustrialisation and over centralisation of government.
The prime minister has previously said he intends to stick to the Starmer red lines on not rejoining the EU, Single Market or Customs Union.
It comes as former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation as an MP in a shock move, setting his successor Mr Burnham up for a fresh by-election.
Sir Keir’s decision to stand down from his role as MP for Holborn and St Pancras, which will trigger a by-election in the constituency just months after he stood down as prime minister.
Chancellor John Healey has also promised to hike UK defence spending after Donald Trump said he was reviewing the United States’ position on the British sovereignty over the Falkland islands.
Read MoreUK looks to ‘refresh’ US special relationship as Trump reignites Falklands row
Trump says he is reviewing US position on Falkland Islands
‘Burnham bounce’ is over, pollsters warn
Key points
- Burnham blames Brexit for ‘decade of low growth’ in UK
- Sir Keir Starmer set to step down as MP
- Starmer says serving as MP has been 'honour and privilege'
- UK hits back at Trump after president reignites Falklands row
- Nigel Farage re-sworn in as MP
'Good growth in every postcode'
22:00 , Dan HaygarthLeading Greater Manchester as its mayor has “given me a clear theory of growth”, Andy Burnham claimed, telling MPs: “I will apply it to all parts of the UK learning from what has been achieved in Greater Manchester.”
An early sign of this approach was the prime minister’s announcement he had asked No 10 North to start working with Cornwall Council on a devolution deal “with or without an elected mayor” – and extended the offer to other parts of the country.
“For a long time, the country did not have ambitions for its regions outside of London – it even talked of the managed decline of Liverpool,” Mr Burnham told the Commons.
“It took the devolution of power out of this place to allow our big city regions the ability to set new ambitions for themselves.
“Now, I want every single place across our regions and nations to be able to do the same, creating the conditions for good growth in every postcode.”
Watch: Nigel Farage sworn in as MP for Clacton
21:00 , Daniel HaygarthComment - Will Zack Polanski seize his moment to claim Keir Starmer’s seat?
20:30 , Dan HaygarthThe former prime minister is standing down as an MP despite promising to stay on, triggering an unhelpful by-election in his Holborn and St Pancras constituency, writes John Rentoul. Read by clicking below.
Will Zack Polanski seize his moment to claim Keir Starmer’s seat?
What Burnham told MPs
20:00 , Dan HaygarthAs he took a total of 125 questions from MPs, Andy Burnham:
– Confirmed that a path to spending 3% of the UK’s economic output on defence, a Nato commitment, will be set out at the next spending review.
– Said he is “prepared to look at” electoral reform, including changes to the voting system, but not before the next general election.
– Committed to bringing forward a Bill which will make sweeping reforms to the leasehold system of ownership, allowing people to move more easily to commonhold “so that finally we can reform this unfair system”.
Sketch: Andy Burnham has more in common with Liz Truss than he cares to admit
19:45 , Chris Blackhurst
Andy Burnham has more in common with Liz Truss than he cares to admit
In pictures: Burnham's first Commons statement as PM
19:14 , Dan Haygarth
What else did PM's statement cover?
18:45 , Dan HaygarthIn his statement, Mr Burnham also laid out his other key priorities:
- He paid tribute to Sir Keir Starmer, who announced he was quitting as an MP after being ousted from Downing Street
- He recommitted the UK’s support for Ukraine and praised his Tory and Labour predecessors in providing the leadership to take on Vladimir Putin
- Insisted he would not back down from net zero policies in the wake of the climate crisis being responsible for the major flash flooding tragedy in Nepal
- But he ducked questions from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch on defence spending, taxes and cutting the welfare bill
- And he hinted electoral reform could be on the cards after Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey called for a national commission to change politics
Full story: Burnham blames Brexit for ‘decade of low growth’ in UK
18:32 , Dan HaygarthAndy Burnham has lashed out at the legacy of Brexit, saying it “ushered in a decade of low growth” which the UK is still paying for, as he made his first statement as prime minister to the Commons.
Burnham blames Brexit for decade of UK decline
Burnham vows to stick to Good Friday Agreement
17:51 , Dan HaygarthAndy Burnham has vowed to “stick to” the Good Friday Agreement, as he defended his previous comments on an Irish unification referendum.
SNP MP for Dundee Central Chris Law claimed Mr Burnham had “already attempted to unilaterally defy the legally binding Good Friday Agreement”, when the prime minister last month told reporters that a border poll was “off the table”.
Mr Law asked: “Does the prime minister recognise he has no mandate to defy the constitutional wishes of the people of Northern Ireland, the people of Scotland or the people of Wales, and that any written constitution or devolution agenda must include a pathway for each of those nations to choose their own future?”
Responding, Mr Burnham told the Commons: “I think (Mr Law) has misunderstood what I actually said.
“I answered a media question on a visit to Northern Ireland before meeting the various parties and the question was that a proposal was being put to the meeting about a border poll.
“And my answer was that the purpose of the visit was to get functional government in Stormont because, in my view, that would most serve the people of Northern Ireland right now – and I wasn’t there to distract onto other issues.
“I’m very aware of every word in the Good Friday Agreement. I will stick to it 100 per cent as prime minister.”
Burnham condemns Russia's attack on German airport
17:27 , Dan Haygarth
Andy Burnham has condemned Russia’s “egregious and reckless attack” on a German airport last month and backed the country’s retaliatory measures.
The prime minister said in a statement: “The United Kingdom stands in full solidarity with Germany following Russia’s egregious and reckless attack in Leipzig.
“Russian attempts to undermine our united resolve and our willingness to support Ukraine are futile and doomed to fail.
“As I made clear in Kyiv last week, our commitment to supporting Ukraine from Russia’s illegal invasion is ironclad.
“The strong measures taken by the German government show action against any attack of this nature will be met with a clear response.
“We will not waver in our resolve to deter attacks on our freedom and security.”
Watch: Burnham confirms changes to early prisoner release scheme after backlash
17:16 , Dan HaygarthPM commits to bringing forward a Commonhold and Leasehold Bill
16:47 , Dan HaygarthAndy Burnham has committed to bringing forward a Commonhold and Leasehold Bill in this parliamentary session, to reform the “unfair system”.
Mr Burnham told the Commons: “I’m looking at every facet of the cost-of-living crisis and where people face unfair charges that they can’t avoid, and this area of leasehold is absolutely in that territory.”
He added: “It is my intention, the intention of the Government, to bring forward that Commonhold and Leasehold Bill, so that finally we can reform this unfair system, and we will do that in this session.”
Burnham 'prepared to look at electoral reform'
16:44 , Dan HaygarthAndy Burnham has said he is “prepared to look at” electoral reform, including changes to the voting system, as he called for the current Parliament “to be a circuit breaker for this country”.
He was responding to Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey, who told the Commons that “the reason so much is broken in our country and never gets fixed is partly that our political system concentrates too much power in the wrong hands – in Westminster, in Whitehall, in big multinational companies”.
Sir Ed added that “more fundamental change is needed” and urged Mr Burnham to “launch national commission to change politics”.
Responding, Mr Burnham told MPs: “I am interested in political reform – I am interested in looking at how we restore trust in politics. I am prepared to look at all of those issues, alongside the voting system, too.”
The prime minister added: “I believe that this Parliament does need to be a circuit breaker for this country.
“I do not believe we can carry on as we are – we are losing the trust and faith of the public.”
Badenoch accuses Burnham of 'living in the past'
16:30 , Dan HaygarthConservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Andy Burnham of “living in the past” and urged him to “start taking this job seriously”.
In their first exchange in the Commons, Mrs Badenoch said: “The prime minister said in his statement that everything has gone wrong since the 1980s, still complaining about Margaret Thatcher. He is living in the past, and he wants to take us back to the 1970s.”
She added: “His diagnosis is completely wrong. His theory of growth is completely wrong. He thinks that if government spends more money, we will all get richer. That is not how this works.”
The leader of the opposition warned : “This is a very different job to being mayor of Manchester, where he did not have to pick winners and losers, and he did not have to make difficult trade-offs. He did not have to worry about our national security. He does now.”
She also criticised Mr Burnham for changing his position on the early release scheme, saying: “He has had five different positions on early release in six weeks, putting the victims through hell with his indecision.”
Burnham pledges to 'bring back hope'
16:19 , Nicole Wootton-CanePrime minister Andy Burnham said his government will take “a place first rather than party first approach” as he pledged to “bring back hope”.
Closing his speech in the House of Commons, Mr Burnham said: “After a decade of turbulence, negativity, point scoring, and divisive politics, this is what I have outlined today: A clear, coherent, and credible approach to growth that can unlock a feeling of positivity and possibility in every postcode in Britain.
“Our job in here is to make it real, by taking a place first rather than party first approach. It starts with reasserting basic standards for Britain, that this is a country where no one sleeps rough, and no community is blighted by an illegal waste tip, and from there, working together to build a new sense of optimism around the country.
“We can make this next decade better than the last. We can lift the prospects of all our people and places. We can put more power into every postcode. We can let Britain believe again. We can bring back hope.”
He had earlier said he will “revive” a policy introduced by former prime minister Baroness Theresa May of Maidenhead to “back local industrial strategies”, adding: “Identifying priority sectors and developing the triple helix approach to economic development by entwining business, academia, and government behind the plan.”
Burnham vows to take 'stronger public control' over essentials such as water
16:18 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAndy Burnham has vowed to set out how the government will take “stronger public control” over “essentials”, such as water.
The prime minister told the Commons: “From the 1980s, this country took a series of wrong turns – political power was centralised, economic power privatised, the country deindustrialised.”
Mr Burnham added: “Britain’s water industry stands as a leaking monument to that approach – a country run in the private rather than public interest – and that is now abundantly clear to voters of all parties, including the party opposite.
“The government I lead will be relentless in giving people and places what they were promised 10 years ago, ownership and control, and from that control over their destiny comes change and growth.”
The prime minister also told MPs: “Too many areas have seen water supplies disrupted this summer due to a lack of reservoir capacity. Our tourism industry is damaged by too many sewage spills.”
He said: “Later in the year, our 10-year plan for Britain will set out plans for stronger public control over these essentials, making them work for people and places again.”
Watch: Burnham blames Brexit for 'decade of low growth' in first address to MPs
16:05 , Nicole Wootton-CaneBurnham says 'problem-solving over point scoring' will characterise his time as PM
16:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAndy Burnham said “problem-solving over point scoring” will “characterise” his time as prime minister, as he set out changes to the prisons early release scheme.
In a statement to the Commons, the prime minister said: “We are now confirming that anyone convicted of manslaughter, death by dangerous driving, or indecent assault will not now see any change to their prison term.
“We will find additional prison places by deporting more foreign national offenders, and finally grasping the nettle on an issue this House has ignored for too long: indefinite IPP sentences, a now abolished policy, but one … which to this day keeps people behind bars, despite already having served more than their sentences.
“None of this is easy, but I did what I always do, and that is to apply my values to a challenging situation, and a care for people, which I spoke about in Downing Street. I believe the public will support me in recognising the clear difference between those who have served their time and more, and those who have not.
“We will bring forward legislation soon, but we can find a solution to end this injustice, which balances public safety and basic fairness, and I urge colleagues on all sides of the House to help us do that.
“This is politics done differently, problem-solving over point scoring. It is what the country needs. It is what the public want more of, and it will characterise my time in office.”
Burnham: Britain is not where any of us would wish it to be
15:52 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
"Britain is not where any of us would wish it to be", Andy Burnham has said in a scathing assessment of the state of the country.
Giving his first address in the Commons as prime minister, he said: "When it comes to the biggest issues facing the country, the economy and the cost of living crisis, people are looking for much more substantial change as promised in our manifesto - and that is what I will bring.
"Britain is not where any of us would wish it to be. Things are not working as they should. Life is too expensive, and too hard for too many.
"That is why this government’s first move was to give businesses and people a little breathing space."
Andy Burnham launches an attack on Brexit
15:52 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
The new prime minister has made his first attack on Brexit in his opening statement as prime minister in the Commons.
Mr Burnham listed Brexit in the “series of wrong turns” the country made since the 1980s and said that it had “compounded the problems” of deindustrialisation and over centralisations “ushering in a decade of low growth”.
Mr Burnham currently intends to stick to the Starmer red lines on not rejoining the EU, Single Market or Customs Union.
But we know that he has said before he supports rejoining the EU and now we know his true feelings on Brexit.
Burnham puts his backing to climate crisis changes
15:46 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
Andy Burnham will attend the Cop31 climate summit in Turkey in November, the prime minister has told MPs as he pledged to “meet the climate challenge”.
After speculation over the summer that Andy Burnham wanted to pull back from net zero commitments he has made it clear they will still be a priority in his premiership.
Mr Burnham has confirmed that he will attend the COP31 climate conference as Sir Keir did in 2024 in a sign that he intends to take the crisis seriously.
Mr Burnham referred to the continuing tragedy of the floods in Nepal and the record hot summer in the UK as a reason that the crisis must be taken seriously.
He will though come under pressure from the right - both Reform UK and Tories - to pull back from Net Zero policies on investing in renewables.
Burnham pays tribute to Starmer for taking Labour from 'worst defeat to one of its best victories'
15:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Andy Burnham has paid tribute to Sir Keir Starmer after the former prime minister announced his decision to quit as an MP, saying he “took our party from one of its worst defeats to one of its best victories”.
Addressing the Commons, Mr Burnham said: “As he stands down from this place, I want to pay tribute to the Right Honourable Member for Holborn and St Pancras. He has given this country a lifetime of public service, particularly for those fighting for justice.
“When my Right Honourable friend delivered in this house on his promise to the Hillsborough families and everyone involved in the Hillsborough law campaign, it was a moment I will never forget.
“His leadership took our party from one of its worst defeats to one of its best victories and created a platform to change this country for the better. We will use it well and we wish his family the very best for the future.”
Andy Burnham takes to despatch box
15:39 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAndy Burnham has taken to the despatch box for his first speech to the Commons as prime minister.
In pictures: Andy Burnham leaves Downing Street ahead of Commons speech
15:16 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Starmer's resignation came as 'surprise', Badenoch says
15:10 , Nicole Wootton-CaneKemi Badenoch said Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to stand down as an MP came as a surprise to her.
The Tory leader said on X: “Wishing Keir Starmer all the best for the future.
“I was surprised to hear he was standing down from Parliament.
“But I can understand why he would not want to spend time with the Labour MPs who treated him so badly after he won them their seats.”
Watch: Nigel Farage sworn in as MP for Clacton
15:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUK has 'no doubt' over its position on Falklands
14:47 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe UK has “no doubt” over its position on the Falkland Islands, the government has said.
Following a question by Foreign Affairs committee chair Emily Thornberry, Uma Kumaran said: "The UK has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands. They are and will always remain a British Overseas Territory in line with the wishes of the Falkland Islanders."
She added she had seen Donald Trump's comments but that the government's position "remains unchanged".
UK hits back at Trump after president reignites Falklands row
14:45 , Jane Dalton
UK looks to ‘refresh’ US special relationship as Trump reignites Falklands row
Nigel Farage re-sworn in as MP
14:37 , Nicole Wootton-CaneNigel Farage has been re-sworn in as an MP this afternoon ahead of planned Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office questions.
Mr Farage triggered a by-election when he resigned from his Clacton seat earlier this year over scrutiny over his finances. He was re-elected at the end of August.
Keir Starmer’s resignation statement in full as he stands down as MP
14:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneFormer prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has resigned as an MP, stating he felt it was the "right time" to step down and concentrate on work in international affairs.
Andy Burnham replaced Sir Keir as prime minister and Labour leader in July after poor local election results cost him party support.
Sir Keir confirmed his departure from his Holborn and St Pancras constituency to the Camden New Journal.
You can read his statement in full below:
Keir Starmer’s resignation statement in full as he stands down as MP
Watch live: Burnham to face Badenoch in Commons for first time
13:58 , Jane DaltonIn pictures: Burnham's first cabinet meeting as PM
13:52 , Jane Dalton
Count Binface hints at another by-election run after Starmer resigns as MP
13:40 , Nicole Wootton-CaneCount Binface has hinted he could run in a by-election in Holborn and St Pancras after Sir Keir Starmer announced he will step down as MP.
Minutes after news broke of Sir Keir’s exit from the House of Commons, the self-styled “intergalactic space warrior” took to social media where he posted “Can't get a moment's peace on this bloody planet” in apparent response to news of the incoming by-election.
It would be the novelty candidate’s third by-election of the year after he made waves in the Clacton-on-Sea standoff against Nigel Farage where he stole 26.9 per cent of the vote from the Reform UK leader.
He also stood against Andy Burnham in Makerfield in June, where he gained just 95 votes in the landslide victory for the current prime minister.
Count Binface hints at another by-election run after Starmer resigns as MP
Trump threatens to shift US position on UK Falkland Islands' sovereignty
13:36 , Jane Dalton
Trump says he is reviewing US position on Falkland Islands
Fiscal discipline 'bedrock' of economy's stability, Downing Street insists as borrowing soars
13:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneNo 10 said fiscal discipline was the “bedrock” of the economy’s stability after the government’s long-term borrowing costs soared to their highest levels for 28 years.
The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “We don’t comment on markets. More generally, I would just say that fiscal discipline is the bedrock of economic stability and national security.
“The chancellor and the prime minister are in lockstep that the government will meet the fiscal rules with a buffer against uncertainty and we’re cutting the deficit faster than any other G7 economy to the lowest level in six years.”
He would not say what size buffer the prime minister was looking to secure.
Why did Starmer resign? These are the key moments of his chaotic two years as prime minister
13:20 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer has announced intentions to step down as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras, a move that will trigger a by-election in the London seat.
The former prime minister left No 10 in July after 23 months in power, in the wake of Labour’s record local election losses and mounting pressure from his own MPs, and returned to the backbenches.
Sir Keir told the Camden New Journal it was the “right time” to step down as an MP and focus on “international affairs”.
Here’s a look back at the events that shaped Sir Keir’s premiership:
Why did Starmer resign? These are the key moments of his chaotic two years as PM
Starmer 'left the country in a better place than he found it,' former minister says
13:10 , Nicole Wootton-CaneFormer minister Nick Thomas-Symonds paid tribute to Sir Keir Starmer after he announced he was quitting the Commons.
Mr Thomas-Symonds, who served as EU relations minister and paymaster general in Sir Keir’s government, said on X: “Keir led Labour from its worst defeat since 1935 to a landslide victory in 2024.
“His work as prime minister left the country in a better place than he found it.
“Thank you, Keir, for all your service & all best wishes to you & your family for the future.”
Burnham thanked Cabinet for 'strong sense of momentum' in first meeting
13:05 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAndy Burnham kicked off Tuesday morning’s Cabinet meeting by thanking his colleagues for establishing “a strong sense of momentum” in his first few weeks as prime minister.
In a Downing Street readout of the meeting, his official spokesman said: “The prime minister opened cabinet by thanking colleagues for establishing a strong sense of momentum in his first weeks in office.
“He said the country have noticed a change of pace with the government setting the agenda and starting the process of giving local areas the levers they need to create good growth.
“He said that during his summer tour, it was clear that life was hard for many people, that they wanted to have hope and hear a positive outlook for the country.”
He thanked Justice Secretary Alex Norris for his work reviewing the prisoner early release scheme and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood for her work on small boat crossings.
'Can't get a moment's peace,' by-election regular Count Binface laments
13:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneCount Binface has lamented news another by-election, saying: “Can’t get a moment’s peace on this bloody planet.”
The satirical candidate, who recently prominently contested Nigel Farage in his by-election, posted on X on Tuesday afternoon.
Can't get a moment's peace on this bloody planet.
— Count Binface (@CountBinface) September 1, 2026
Green leader Zack Polanski has not ruled out contesting in upcoming by-election
12:50 , Nicole Wootton-CaneZack Polanski has not ruled out contesting the Holborn and St Pancras seat following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation, the Green Party has said.
The Green leader is currently a member of the London Assembly.
Asked by Sky News if Mr Polanski will contest the Holborn and St Pancras seat, a Green Party spokesperson did not rule it out.
They said: "Zack has always made it clear he would like to be a London MP.
"London has been his home for over 20 years."
Tories say Starmer's resignation 'another U-turn'
12:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Tories said Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to step down marked “another U-turn”.
Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: “Whilst we have disagreed with almost all of Sir Keir Starmer’s decisions, I wish him and his family well for the future.
“It is fitting that his final act as a Member of Parliament is yet another U-turn having pledged to stay on.
“The decision to stand down will mean a costly by-election for taxpayers at a time when Andy Burnham and John Healey are plotting tax rises on hardworking families across the country.
“The Conservatives look forward to giving the people of Holborn and St Pancras a chance to vote for a stronger economy and a stronger country in the weeks ahead.”
Starmer made decision to resign after time to 'reflect' over summer
12:39 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer has shared a statement outlining his shock resignation this morning, saying his decision was made as he had time to “reflect” over the summer.
“I have decided that now is the right time to step down as MP for Holborn and St Pancras and hand the baton over to a successor,” he said.
He added he will “always remain immensely proud to have represented the place Vic, the kids and I call home.”
“I look back with pride on what my constituency team and I have delivered in Holborn and St Pancras since 2015 and I thank all those who I was privileged to work with on so many issues of local concern,” he continued.
“Whoever is lucky enough to become the Labour candidate here will have my full support and backing and I will continue to give my full support to the prime minister and this Labour government.”
It has been an honour and a privilege to represent Holborn and St Pancras for the last 11 years.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 1, 2026
My statement. pic.twitter.com/xzu4xcIno2
Starmer says serving as MP has been 'honour and privilege'
12:32 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer said it has been a “huge honour and privilege” to represent Holborn and St Pancras as he announced his resignation.
Speaking to the Camden New Journal he said: “It has been a huge honour and privilege to represent the best constituency in the country and to have taken over from Frank Dobson, who was such a great constituency MP and a member of the last Labour government.
“I will now focus on other things and that will be international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology in a fast-changing world.
“I will also continue, as I have done for a long time now with others, work on combating violence against women and girls; that is an issue that matters to me hugely. It’s work I started before I became an MP and it’s work I’m keen to continue after I’m an MP.
“So international affairs on the one hand, and continuing my work on violence against women and girls on the other.”
He has informed local Labour constituency party staff of his decision to exit Parliament after eleven years representing the north London seat.
BREAKING: Sir Keir Starmer set to step down as MP
12:17 , Nicole Wootton-CaneFormer prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is to step down as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras, a move that will trigger a by-election in the London seat.
Iran bond selloff will mean higher borrowing costs for Burnham, reports say
12:09 , Nicole Wootton-CaneA global selloff of Iran bonds means Andy Burnham and John Healey will face higher borrowing costs and an increased likelihood of interest rate rises, according to reports.
Bloomberg News reports that the the odds of a quarter point Bank of England interest hike coming in November have risen to almost 70 per cent, and that a second hike is more than fully priced in for next March and seen as 80 per cent likely to come by February.
That could a major obstacle to Mr Burnham’s plans to slash the cost of living.
PM vows to 'stamp out antisemitism for good' as he pays tribute to synagogue attack victims
11:50 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAndy Burnham has vowed to “stamp out antisemitism for good” as he paid tribute to the victims of the Manchester synagogue terror attack.
The prime minister wrote on X: “We send our love and support to the Jewish community in Manchester and beyond who last night gathered to remember Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby, who were killed defending their synagogue last year. My thoughts are with their families and all those who have been affected by the attack.
“I know for many Jewish people, the sorrow and fear from that day has not lifted, and I know we must do more to protect communities across the country.
“I want Jewish people to know that their safety is a priority of mine and I’m determined to stamp out antisemitism for good.”
We send our love and support to the Jewish community in Manchester and beyond who last night gathered to remember Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby, who were killed defending their synagogue last year. My thoughts are with their families and all those who have been affected by the…
— Andy Burnham (@andyburnham) September 1, 2026
What is coming up in Burnham's speech to the Commons?
11:40 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAndy Burnham is set to make his first Commons address as UK prime minister on Tuesday afternoon.
His speech is expected to call for greater public control over water, energy and transport as he faces scrutiny from MPs for the first time.
Mr Burnham will argue that stronger public control over many of the country’s services can be an engine for economic growth, setting out his belief that essential services have not been run in the public interest.
In his first appearance at the despatch box in 16 years, he is expected to say that they have become neither reliable nor affordable, holding back British households and the wider economy.
The Guardian, which first reported details of the Commons statement, said Mr Burnham would make public control over important services a priority for the government over coming months.
“Andy is optimistic about our country’s future,” A No 10 source said. “He has a clear plan for how we turn things round. He is determined we make this the moment we bring back hope.”
