Andy Burnham becomes new UK PM, promises cost of living measures, 10-year plan

LONDON — Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Monday pledged to set out new measures to help tackle the cost of living this week before setting out a new 10-year plan for the country later this year.

"Britain needs to show the world that we can regain our stability once again," Burnham said in a speech outside 10 Downing Street.

"We have not been good enough, and we need to be better."

Promising Britons "some breathing space now," he said the government would set out some measures to tackle the high cost-of-living, and how it plans to fund them.

Further out, he said: "We will help more young people into work by changing the education system and giving them more support, more mental health support, and we will build more council homes.

"That is the fair and sustainable way to bring the welfare bill down, to meet our fiscal rules, and to honor our commitments on defense to our international partners."

His Labour Party colleague, outgoing premier Keir Starmer, made his farewell speech outside 10 Downing Street, telling supporters that "my work is done" and that he was leaving with "good grace" and a "smile."

Starmer, who was ousted by his Labour lawmakers about a month ago, said his work as prime minister was "the privilege of my life" and that, as he passed the baton to Burnham, "I wish him every success."

"He has my full support," Starmer said.

After he formally tenders his resignation to King Charles, the monarch will receive Burnham to ask him to be prime minister.

Then the hard work begins for the 56-year-old Burnham who, as mayor of Greater Manchester, earned the nickname "King of the North."

Once he has unveiled his cabinet—already the subject of much debate in the governing Labour Party — he will have to tackle a long list of problems ranging from anemic economic growth to a cost-of-living crisis and underperforming utility firms. — Reuters