LONDON, United Kingdom — Andy Burnham officially took office as Britain’s prime minister on Monday, reshuffling the Cabinet, removing key allies of predecessor Keir Starmer and promising a 10-year plan to ease the cost of living and rebuild the economy.
Burnham, 56, became King Charles III’s fourth prime minister after meeting the monarch at Buckingham Palace before taking up residence at 10 Downing Street.
In his first day in office, Burnham spoke separately with US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, reaffirming Britain’s commitment to defense, security and continued support for Ukraine.
He also announced a Cabinet overhaul, replacing Chancellor Rachel Reeves with former Defense Secretary John Healey, appointing Ed Miliband as foreign secretary, returning Angela Rayner to government and naming Wes Streeting as defense secretary. Shabana Mahmood remained home secretary.
Addressing supporters outside Downing Street, Burnham pledged to deliver a decade-long plan focused on lowering living costs, ending rough sleeping, expanding public housing, re-industrializing Britain and devolving more powers from Westminster.
He said his government would begin announcing measures to provide immediate relief from rising living costs on Tuesday.
Burnham succeeds Starmer, who resigned after Labour lawmakers replaced him as party leader last month despite leading the party to a landslide election victory in 2024. He inherits an economy marked by slow growth, high public debt, rising welfare costs and continued political pressure over migration and inflation.
French President Emmanuel Macron was among the first world leaders to congratulate Burnham, calling for renewed momentum in UK-European Union relations.