Burnham begins UK premiership with cost-of-living measures and looser style

New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham used his first week in office to signal a change in policy focus and political style for the centre-left Labour government after Keir Starmer's departure.

Burnham, 56, announced three early measures aimed at giving households and businesses modest help with high living costs. He said the government would remove a tax on household electricity bills, cap most bus fares in England and cut business rates by 20 percent for pubs, clubs and live music venues.

The approach contrasts with Starmer's early decision two years earlier to cut winter fuel payments for millions of elderly people, a move he later reversed. Burnham's measures have raised questions about whether he is as committed as Starmer was to tight control of public finances. Burnham says the measures are a reprioritisation of spending.

AFP reported that high energy prices linked to the US-Iran conflict and other international crises outside Burnham's control could affect his cost-of-living agenda. Burnham is expected to travel abroad less than Starmer, who focused on restoring Britain's overseas credibility but was criticised by opponents as being away too often.

Patrick Diamond, an adviser to previous Labour governments, said the Burnham government had put itself on the front foot politically, but also said there were many difficulties ahead.

Burnham also adopted a more informal public style. After arriving in Downing Street on Monday, he spoke without notes and without the traditional lectern. He wore a suit and tie rather than his familiar dark T-shirt and jacket, but continued posting casual, selfie-led videos on social media.

In his first speech, Burnham said he wanted to bring back hope. Diamond said that differed from Starmer's repeated warnings about tough choices after 14 years of Conservative rule, which Diamond described as too pessimistic.

On Friday, Burnham opened a new No 10 North office in Manchester, where he plans to work at least once a week as part of his push for more devolution in England. He told staff the office would be the nerve centre for a rewired Britain and not a short-lived gimmick.

Burnham has said he wants to unite Labour. Some commentators have questioned that pledge because his supporters helped remove Starmer from power. On Wednesday, Burnham rejected suggestions that removing several Starmer loyalists from ministerial posts and promoting his own allies was factional, saying a change in direction required changes in government.

Because Burnham was chosen by Labour MPs rather than by a public vote, he is expected to face questions about his mandate. As leader of the largest party in parliament, he became prime minister without calling a general election. The next election is due in 2029.

Nigel Farage, leader of the hard-right Reform UK party, which AFP said has led opinion polls for about 18 months, has repeatedly said Burnham should call a national election now. AFP said those calls could grow if Burnham moves away from the manifesto on which Labour under Starmer won its majority in July 2024, especially if the economy remains weak.

Political scientist Tony Travers said the public judges quickly, while many of the problems Burnham faces have developed over decades.