Andy Burnham live: New PM to host first cabinet meeting this morning after Donald Trump phone call

Andy Burnham live: New PM to host first cabinet meeting this morning after Donald Trump phone call New Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has already made a number of sweeping changes to the Cabinet and later this morning he is set to host his first cabinet meeting Andy Burnham made his first Cabinet appointments yesterday — bringing back Angela Rayner to the fold. Talking yesterday without a lectern or notes, in a huge move away from tradition, Mr Burnham, 56, spoke for 10 minutes and used the opportunity to outline his vision for the UK. In his first speech as PM, Burnham said an announcement about tackling the cost of living would be made today. He said he could "do something to give people some breathing space now" and was looking at measures "that could make a difference this year". And confirmed he was "finalising the details" and that some of the measures - including "how we pay for them" - would be set out today. The new Prime Minister will begin his first full day as prime minister with a cabinet meeting this morning. His team includes John Healey as chancellor, Shabana Mahmood as home secretary, and Ed Miliband as foreign secretary. For updates on Andy Burnham becoming prime minister, follow our live blog below Key Events Andy Burnham became Britain's seventh Prime Minister in a decade on Monday and wasted no time getting down to business in the top job. His opening day kicked off with a formal audience with the King at Buckingham Palace before he delivered his maiden address as PM on the steps of No 10. Mr Burnham then acted swiftly to name his new Cabinet. The Makerfield MP, who made his return to Parliament in June following a stint as Mayor of Greater Manchester, was formally elected Leader of the Labour Party on Friday. The official transition took place after Sir Keir Starmer submitted his resignation, with the King inviting Mr Burnham to form a government. - Heidi Alexander – Transport Secretary - Douglas Alexander – Secretary of State for Scotland - Alan Campbell – Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council - Baroness Smith – Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Lords - Matthew Pennycook – Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Donald Trump has shared details of his first conversation with the UK's new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, and has hinted at a meeting in the "not too distant future". - Stephen Kinnock MP as Secretary of State for Wales. - Sir Chris Bryant MP as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. - Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP as Attorney General. She will attend Cabinet. - Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP as Chief Secretary to the Treasury. She will attend Cabinet. - Kanishka Narayan MP as Minister of State (Minister for Artificial Intelligence) jointly in the Cabinet Office and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. He will attend Cabinet. - Hamish Falconer MP as Minister of State (Minister for Intergovernmental Relations and European Relations) jointly in the Cabinet Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. He will attend Cabinet. The Mirror's David Burke has the latest appointments for Andy Burnham's Cabinet... - Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP as Secretary of State for Defence - Alex Norris MP as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice - Dame Angela Eagle DBE MP as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Miatta Fahnbulleh MP as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Health minister Stephen Kinnock, the son of former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, has entered Downing Street. Scotland Secretary Douglas Alexander has also walked into No 10. Angela Rayner has said she is "delighted" to have accepted the Housing Cabinet role. She said on X/Twitter: "I am delighted to have accepted the position of Secretary of State at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government. "Andy Burnham's vision of good growth in every postcode demands we build on the foundations we have already laid to bring the change we have promised. "I look forward to returning to government with renewed drive and determination to put power back in people’s hands - and hope back in our hearts." Andy Burnham has spoken with Antonio Costa, the president of the European Council, one of the EU’s major institutions. Giving a readout of their call, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister spoke to Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, this evening. “The Prime Minister began by underlining the importance of creating a stronger Europe through a closer UK-EU relationship. “That included working together on shared challenges such as defence and security and driving growth across the UK and Europe. “They both agreed their respective teams would work closely towards a UK-EU summit later in the year.” Lisa Nandy, who has kept her job as Culture Secretary, told reporters she was “very” happy with her job as she left Downing Street smiling on Monday evening. Andy Burnham has spoken with Mark Rutte, the Nato secretary general, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, No 10 said. Giving a readout of the Prime Minister’s call with the Nato chief, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister began by congratulating the Secretary General on the successful Nato summit held in Ankara earlier this month, and the strong signal of unity it sent to the world in such volatile times. “Updating on the appointment of the former defence secretary, John Healey, as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Prime Minister said the appointment was a signal of his intent. “The leaders also discussed the situation in Ukraine, and the Secretary General welcomed the Prime Minister’s strong statement of support for Ukraine earlier today.” In a separate readout of the call with Mr Merz, the Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister spoke to the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, this evening. It was clear the relationship between the UK and Germany was vital to delivering for people in both countries, the Prime Minister said. “Both leaders underlined their ambition to increase cooperation under the Kensington Treaty, and the Prime Minister said he would ask his teams to accelerate work on implementation. “Discussing Ukraine, the Prime Minister looked forward to working with Chancellor Merz and President Macron as they drove the Coalition of the Willing forward to support a just and lasting peace.” Andy Burnham has announced a major change in personnel at the top of government hours after becoming Prime Minister. Chancellor Rachel Reeves was among the high-profile names axed as the new PM installed his top team - with John Healey named as her surprise replacement. Shabana Mahmood remains Home Secretary, while Ed Miliband was named as Foreign Secretary. And there was a return to government for Angela Rayner less than a year after she stepped down as Deputy PM. Other high-profile departures include Keir Starmer's deputy PM, David Lammy., as well as Liz Kendall, Peter Kyle and Steve Reed. There was a return to the top table for Angela Rayner and Louise Haigh. READ MORE: Andy Burnham's Cabinet - Who's in and who's out as Angela Rayner returns and Rachel Reeves loses job Online safety minister Kanishka Narayan has entered 10 Downing Street. He was followed by Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer. The clear-out of Keir Starmer's allies was swift and brutal. Some Westminster wags branded it the "night of the long eyelashes" as Andy Burnham dispensed with the services of a string of top ministers in a clear break with the Starmer era. Steve Reed, David Lammy, Darren Jones, Peter Kyle, Lord Hermer - all close to the former PM - were among those told their time was up. Rachel Reeves fought hard to stay on as Chancellor but she was too closely tied to the Starmer project, particularly its most totemic failure - the cut to the winter fuel allowance. It is understood that she declined the offer of another big Cabinet job. Uncertainty over Burnham's pick for Chancellor triggered a state of hysteria in Westminster. Speculation lurched from initial favourite Ed Miliband to Shabana Mahmood, who was confidently tipped by much of the media in the days running up to Burnham's arrival in Downing Street. READ MORE: 'Andy Burnham draws line under Starmer era with Cabinet overhaul - and shocks with Chancellor pick' Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell said she was “very” happy with her new job as Education Secretary, as she left No 10 on Monday evening after meeting with the Prime Minister. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds and housing minister Matthew Pennycook have entered No 10. Jonathan Reynolds, who has been appointed Business Secretary by the Prime Minister, has now left Downing Street. The Mirror's David Burke has given us a run down on the latest Cabinet appointments... - Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government - Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP as Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade - Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP as Secretary of State for Education - Anneliese Midgley MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip). She will be a member of Cabinet. Bridget Phillipson will remain a member of Cabinet as Minister for Women and Equalities in Andy Burnham’s Government, Downing Street has announced, but is no longer education secretary. Angela Rayner has been appointed Housing Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds has been appointed Business Secretary, Lucy Powell is the new Education Secretary and Anneliese Midgley has been appointed as Chief Whip, Downing Street said. Home office ministers Angela Eagle and Alex Norris have walked into No 10 along with former housing minister Miatta Fahnbulleh. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander joined them a short time later. Former health secretary Wes Streeting has entered 10 Downing Street. Mr Streeting, who resigned from Sir Keir Starmer’s government, had been seen as a potential leadership candidate until he backed Andy Burnham. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has spoken to French President Emmanuel Macron. A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister began by setting out how he is looking forward to building on the strong UK-France relationship to deliver for people on both sides of the Channel. “Turning to Ukraine, the two leaders discussed the need to work together to continue supporting Ukraine as it resists Russia’s full-scale invasion, including through co-chairing the Coalition of the Willing. “On the Middle East, the two leaders agreed the need to continue efforts towards deescalation and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. “They also discussed continuing the UK and France’s close co-operation on energy and defence, and the Prime Minister paid tribute to President Macron for his efforts to bring the Bayeux Tapestry to the UK, which underlined the UK and France’s enduring friendship. “The two leaders look forward to speaking again and the Prime Minister welcoming President Macron to the United Kingdom at the earliest opportunity.” John Healey has said the new Government led by Andy Burnham “will meet our commitments on defence to our international allies”. The new Chancellor was asked by broadcasters on Monday night if he would meet a commitment to spend 3% of national economic output on defence by 2030. Mr Healey expressed frustration that Sir Keir Starmer had not set out a clear timetable for the commitment when he resigned last month as defence secretary. Asked if welfare cuts or new taxes were on the cards to meet the goal, Mr Healey said: “Fiscal control is the first duty of any chancellor. It is mine. And fiscal credibility is the bedrock for economic stability and for national security. “You heard the Prime Minister this afternoon say, in this more dangerous world, we will meet our commitments on defence to our international allies.” Andy Burnham walked into Downing Street as Britain’s seventh Prime Minister since 2016. That fact alone tells the story of a country exhausted by political churn, broken promises and leaders who arrive declaring a fresh start before delivering more of the same. Mr Burnham knows it. To his credit, he said so. He admitted politics has not been good enough for the people it is meant to serve and spoke directly to families and pensioners who have spent years watching bills rise, wages struggle, and public services fray. That honesty matters. But honesty is only the beginning. The most important promise for readers may be his pledge to give people more breathing room on the cost of living, including considering a raise to the tax-free personal allowance. READ MORE: 'Andy Burnham must raise the tax-free personal allowance to help thousands of struggling families' Yvette Cooper said it was a “real honour to be appointed Health Secretary by Andy Burnham – 27 years after I worked on the first NHS cancer plan as a junior health minister”. In a statement shared on social media, the Health Secretary added: “I’m looking forward to working urgently to improve maternity services, to take forward plans for social care, and to once again play a part in supporting our National Health Service, Labour’s proudest achievement. “Most of all I’m looking forward to working with the dedicated NHS staff, carers, healthcare professionals and volunteers on whom we all depend. “In leaving the FCDO, let me pay tribute to the brilliant diplomats and ministers I worked with at the Foreign Office, and to my fellow foreign ministers from across the world – for all the work we did together to support Ukraine, to recognise the State of Palestine, to keep the spotlight on Sudan and to treat violence against women and girls as the global crisis it is. The partnerships we build abroad make us stronger at home.” Ed Miliband has said the Foreign Office will be “at the forefront of issues which pose profound and substantial threats to justice and equality in Britain and across the world” under his stewardship. In a statement shared on social media, he said: “It is a great honour and privilege to have been appointed by the Prime Minister to serve as Foreign Secretary. “My parents came to Britain as Jewish refugees from the Nazis. To them, Britain was both a sanctuary and a beacon of hope in the global fight against fascism. I will carry my parents’ faith in that spirit of Britain to my role representing our country. “I will be a Foreign Secretary who fights for Britain’s interests and our values of democracy, freedom and the rule of law on the world stage.” He promised to maintain close ties with both the EU and the United States, as well as upholding Britain’s commitments to Nato and the United Nations. Mr Miliband added: “The FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) I lead will also be at the forefront of issues which pose profound and substantial threats to justice and equality in Britain and across the world. “We will work with others on tackling the climate crisis, strengthening our partnerships for international development, and reforming our international institutions so they deliver for all countries, including the world’s poorest people.” Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey says Healey has seen up close "the need to rebuild our Armed Forces after years of Conservative cuts and Starmer dithering". In a post on X, he says that as chancellor, Mr Healey should take up the Lib Dem's plans "for Defence Bonds to invest £20 billion in our sovereign capability". MPs across the political spectrum have been weighing in on the former defence secretary's new post. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch offers congratulations, adding: "He can now ensure the Defence Investment Plan is properly funded. Conservatives will work with him to cut benefits so we can fund defence. "Because we can’t have higher taxes or even more borrowing." Yvette Cooper has been appointed Health Secretary and Pat McFadden will remain as Work and Pensions Secretary, Downing Street has announced.