Andy Burnham Marks First Month as UK Prime Minister With Sweeping List of Reforms.
London:
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has marked one month in office by highlighting a wide-ranging package of measures his government says is aimed at easing household pressures, strengthening public services and transferring greater power from Westminster to local communities.
In a statement reflecting on his first month as Prime Minister, Burnham said his government had already begun implementing changes across the cost of living, transport, housing, mental health, business, farming and local government.
Among the measures highlighted by the Prime Minister are cuts to tax on electricity bills and a £2 cap on bus fares across England, alongside reforms intended to make it easier for consumers to cancel subscriptions and tackle misleading or fake discounts.
Burnham also pointed to a major expansion of opportunities for young people, including early access to technical education for 14-year-olds, while his government has opened 159 new mental health centres.
Focus on homelessness and cost of living
Tackling homelessness has emerged as another prominent priority of Burnham’s first month. The government has committed significant additional funding to ensure that people sleeping rough are offered a route off the streets this winter.
The latest government announcement includes a £442 million package to provide accommodation and support, with the stated aim of ensuring that everyone who needs help has a route away from rough sleeping by Christmas.
The Prime Minister has also highlighted measures to support farmers affected by drought and reductions in business rates for pubs, clubs and music venues, sectors that have faced considerable financial pressure.
Tougher approach to immigration
On immigration, Burnham said his government had shut down 13 more asylum hotels, continuing its efforts to reduce reliance on hotel accommodation for asylum seekers.
The government has simultaneously emphasised a broader programme of decentralisation, with mayors set to receive a share of income-tax revenues and local authorities gaining greater powers over their communities.
Transport and regional devolution
Transport has featured prominently in Burnham’s first-month agenda.
The government has extended the 16–17 Saver Railcard, introduced 24/7 free bus travel for disabled people, and brought buses in the West Midlands under public control.
The Prime Minister has also promised to fast-track housebuilding around railway stations, linking transport investment with efforts to increase housing supply.
Burnham’s approach reflects his longstanding emphasis on devolving decision-making away from Whitehall. A central symbol of that agenda is “No10 North”, the government’s new northern base in Manchester. Burnham has presented the initiative as part of an effort to move political power and government activity beyond London.
High streets, housing and local communities
The government has also promised communities and councils greater influence over what businesses and facilities open on their high streets.
Other measures highlighted by Burnham include action to clean up illegal waste dumps and accelerating new homes near railway stations.
The Prime Minister described the overall programme as “the biggest transfer of power, funding and responsibility from Westminster in a generation”, signalling his intention to make devolution a defining feature of his premiership.
“It’s a start,” Burnham says
Despite presenting an extensive list of achievements, Burnham acknowledged that his government still has much more to do.
“It’s a start, but I’m not complacent,” he said, stressing that people need more support and promising to do everything possible to improve the lives of families across the country.
Burnham said his government was “doing things differently” with the objective of giving people greater financial and social “breathing space” and restoring a sense of hope.
Burnham formally became Prime Minister on 20 July 2026, succeeding Keir Starmer. His first month in office has been characterised by an emphasis on cost-of-living relief, public services, regional devolution and greater local control.
The first month therefore represents an ambitious opening statement from the new government. The bigger test, however, will be whether the measures announced and launched by Burnham can deliver tangible improvements in household finances, public services and living standards as his premiership moves beyond its first 30 days.
