Andy Burnham succeeds Starmer as UK PM, announces major policy shifts

Published Jul 23, 01:00 PM UTC

Andy Burnham has succeeded Sir Keir Starmer as Britain's prime minister, taking office with a promise of 'the biggest changes in the last 40 years'. His initial announcements include scrapping unpopular plans for a nationwide digital-ID scheme, a 20% cut to business property rates, and small measures to ease the cost of living. The detailed ten-year plan will not be ready until autumn. In a surprise move, John Healey, who resigned as defence secretary under Starmer due to insufficient military spending, was appointed chancellor of the exchequer. Leftist Ed Miliband becomes foreign secretary, and Angela Rayner returns as housing secretary after being forced to quit over unpaid housing tax.