Andy Burnham becomes prime minister, launches rough sleeping drive
Andy Burnham has become prime minister, succeeding Keir Starmer.
He used his first speech outside 10 Downing Street to announce a national drive to end rough sleeping, backed by an additional £340 million in funding.
Burnham said the announcement would help vulnerable people before winter, delivered through mayors, councils, the NHS and public services.
He said: “For too long, we’ve been told that ending rough sleeping will take decades or even that it’s impossible. I’m not having that.”
“This is something a government can fix if it chooses to. Today, I’m choosing to.”
“On my first day as Prime Minister, I’m announcing this government’s commitment to finally end long-term rough sleeping across the UK at the earliest opportunity.”
“We’ll get to work immediately, bringing together national and local government with the investment needed to get it done.”
“This is the kind of Britain I want us to be – a country where everyone has the security of a roof over their head, and where no one is left behind or written off. Let’s bring back hope.”
According to the announcement, the new funding forms the opening phase of a five-year programme intended to provide 1,200 homes and support for at least 3,000 people facing long-term homelessness.
Before his speech, Burnham met people with experience of sleeping rough.
Wales’s First Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth, responded to Burnham’s appointment.
He said: “I congratulate Andy Burnham on his appointment as Prime Minister, which presents an opportunity to redefine the relationship between the Welsh and UK Governments.”
“I know that Andy Burnham shares my belief in the power of devolution to improve the lives of the people we serve.”
“In that spirit, I hope we can speak the same language when it comes to devolving powers out of Westminster by strengthening, not bypassing, Wales’s national parliament and its ability to empower people and communities.”
“I look forward to an early meeting with the new Prime Minister to agree how we can give Wales the powers it needs to grow the economy and build a fairer, more prosperous future for all.”
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “Andy Burnham is right to signal an end to the broken economic status quo and prioritise the cost of living.
“This government should be straight out of the blocks delivering for working people in every corner of the country – with a laser focus on living standards.
“For too long, ordinary families have been under the cosh while the tax avoiders and the super-rich have been raking it in.
“That’s why we need to see urgent action to bring down energy bills, taxing banks’ enormous profits to pay for it and delivering Labour’s workers’ rights agenda in full.
“And we need investment with good quality work at its heart to grow our economy and put more money in the pockets of working people.
“This government shouldn’t be afraid to take on vested interests – whether it’s bad bosses, the super wealthy or crypto billionaires.”
On Keir Starmer’s time as prime minister, Paul added: “Keir Starmer’s government has delivered the biggest upgrade in workers’ rights in a generation, nationalised British Steel and started to bring our railways into public ownership. That’s a big step forward from where we were before May 2024.
Burnham was previously mayor of Greater Manchester and became an MP after winning the Makerfield by-election last month, a step that allowed him to stand for the Labour leadership.
He was confirmed as Labour leader unopposed on 17 July 2026.
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