Andy Burnham vows to ‘bring back hope’ as he unveils his cabinet

New prime minister says government must ‘do better’ to deliver change but promises prudent approach to economy Andy Burnham has said his arrival in power will “bring back hope” to Britain as he launched his premiership with the surprise appointment of John Healey as chancellor and a promise to repair the long-term damage caused to communities during the Thatcher era. The new UK prime minister acknowledged people were “fed up” with politics as he addressed the country after taking over from Keir Starmer in Downing Street, saying the government needed to “do better” to deliver real change. In his speech outside No 10, he said the government would announce “some breathing space” on Tuesday for people regarding the cost of living, with plans to cut energy bills and bus fares expected as part of a fully funded package. Burnham later told reporters that he would look at “any flexibility” within the government’s existing fiscal rules to help borrow billions more to invest in infrastructure – but would take a “very prudent” approach to the economy. UK 10-year gilt prices dropped after his comments, with the markets already on the edge over the risks of highe