Politics news

• Sackings, cabinet surprises and policies: Burnham's first 24 hours as PM

  21-07-2026 19:14 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The new prime minister enters Number 10 in a flurry of activity - but he is still facing calls for a snap election.
  
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• Angela Rayner: Cabinet comeback for one of Labour's biggest names

  21-07-2026 18:12 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The potential contender to replace Keir Starmer is now back in the cabinet under Andy Burnham.
  
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• Ann Widdecombe was hit on head 21 times with hammer, prosecutors say

  21-07-2026 17:35 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Joshua Kerry, 28, attacked Widdecombe while she was eating lunch at her home in Devon before stealing her wallet, prosecutors say.
  
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• Farage calls for general election: 'Burnham has no mandate'

  21-07-2026 16:07 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The Reform UK leader says the public want a vote on the new PM's 10-year plan.
  
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• Ann Widdecombe was hit on head repeatedly with hammer, prosecutors say

  21-07-2026 15:57 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, in South Yorkshire, is charged with her murder and appeared in court.
  
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• Who is the UK's new chancellor?

  21-07-2026 15:15 via bbc.co.uk
  
  After becoming PM on Monday, Burnham appointed John Healey as chancellor, Ed Miliband as foreign secretary and Wes Streeting as defence secretary
  
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• Whitehall officials offered move to No 10 North in Manchester

  21-07-2026 14:56 via bbc.co.uk
  
  London-based civil servants willing to move north have been told they will be offered relocation packages, the BBC understands.
  
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• Burnham VAT cut 'already fallen apart' - Badenoch

  21-07-2026 14:50 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she welcomed the removal of VAT on energy bills, but questioned how Andy Burnham would fund it.
  
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• Burnham thanks ministers for joining cabinet

  21-07-2026 14:47 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Andy Burnham holds his first cabinet meeting as prime minister
  
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• Applause as Burnham arrives for first cabinet meeting as PM

  21-07-2026 14:39 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Andy Burnham is holding his first cabinet meeting as prime minister
  
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• UK borrows less than expected in June but public finances remain a challenge

  21-07-2026 14:36 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Public finances for last month were better than expected but the UK is carrying major debt.
  
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• Former Labour leader's 'delight' as son becomes new Welsh secretary

  21-07-2026 14:35 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Stephen Kinnock is the son of ex-Labour leader Lord Kinnock and former MEP Glenys Kinnock.
  
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• Former Labour leader's "delight" as son becomes new Welsh secretary

  21-07-2026 14:35 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Stephen Kinnock is the son of ex-Labour leader Lord Kinnock and former MEP Glenys Kinnock.
  
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• Sir Chris Bryant appointed new NI secretary

  21-07-2026 14:34 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Hilary Benn replaced by a former Anglican priest as part of a Cabinet reshuffle by the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham.
  
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• Angela Rayner: Labour's working-class warrior bounces back

  21-07-2026 14:09 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The potential contender to replace Keir Starmer is now back in the cabinet under Andy Burnham.
  
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• Key moments on day Andy Burnham became prime minister

  21-07-2026 12:37 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Andy Burnham has replaced Sir Keir Starmer as UK prime minister, after becoming Labour leader last week.
  
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• VAT to be cut from household electricity bills in October

  21-07-2026 12:07 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Homes will save around £45 a year through the cut announced on Andy Burnham's first full day as prime minister.
  
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• Cause of Ann Widdecombe's death not yet established, inquest hears

  21-07-2026 11:56 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The 78-year-old was found with "visible injuries" at her home in Devon on 9 July.
  
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• AI minister role boosted but tech department axed in Burnham shake-up

  21-07-2026 11:15 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Kanishka Narayan will attend cabinet - but no longer have the leadership of a technology secretary.
  
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• Starmer ally takes swipe at Burnham's first big policy

  21-07-2026 11:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Sir Keir Starmer's former right hand man Darren Jones says Andy Burnham's VAT cut is unfunded.
  
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• Who's in Andy Burnham's cabinet?

  21-07-2026 09:57 via bbc.co.uk
  
  An in-depth look at which Labour MPs have been appointed to cabinet roles by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham
  
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• Chris Mason: New chancellor faces tough spending choices

  21-07-2026 09:21 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The appointment of John Healey is particularly fascinating, writes BBC political editor Chris Mason.
  
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• Will Burnham's cut to electricity VAT help households?

  21-07-2026 08:10 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Andy Burnham says he will remove VAT for household electricity bills, marking his first major costed policy announcement as prime minister.
  
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• Burnham pledges to 'bring back hope' as he makes Healey chancellor

  21-07-2026 00:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The new prime minister pledged to make announcements this week to "give people some breathing space".
  
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