Andy Burnham latest: Trump makes bizarre claim that new PM will open up North Sea oil drilling ‘all the way’

The SNP has called on Andy Burnham to deliver an emergency cost-of-living budget to “reverse damage” under the Labour government.

The former Greater Manchester mayor, who returned to Westminster last month as the MP for Makerfield, vowed to “bring back hope” in his speech as Labour leader on Friday.

SNP Westminster leader Dave Doogan said that Mr Burnham would be “judged on his actions not words” as the UK prepares for its seventh prime minister in 10 years.

Mr Doogan is calling on Mr Burnham to deliver an emergency cost-of-living budget when he enters No 10.

He continued: “While Westminster has been stuck in constant chaos, people’s lives have got worse.

“People in Scotland don’t want more empty promises about ‘hope in their hearts’ – they want money in their pockets and meaningful change to make people’s lives and livelihoods better.”

He urged Mr Burnham to deliver an emergency cost of living budget, and “a meaningful package of financial support for families, to reverse the damage done under the Labour Party government and put money back into people’s pockets.”

Andy Burnham has told The Times that “we’re not in the right place as a country” ahead of becoming prime minister on Monday.

Referring to his pledge that he will set out a ten-year plan for the country, Mr Burnham said: “I’m not saying that means I’m setting out to say I’m going to be here for ten years… it’s more that we’re not in the right place structurally, we’re not in the right place as a country. I think people can feel that.”

He added: “To be clear to people, it can’t be done overnight. But you’ve got to show people where we’re going, and then the steps towards it. And that’s what I’m going to try to do.”

Speaking about his approach to the economy, Mr Burnham said: “I think you have to rethink how we run things to get a different approach to public spending, and to running the economy – more focused on early investment, early intervention, setting people up for success, and much less paying for failure.”

Referring to his plans to scrap Sir Keir Starmer’s digital ID scheme, Mr Burnham added: “That’s an example of what’s to come, freeing up resource for something that, in my view, wouldn’t make a tangible difference to people’s lives anytime soon. And even if it did, it wouldn’t necessarily make life easier, it might do in the long run.”

Andy Burnham is set to forego wearing a shirt and tie as prime minister, according to reporting from the Sunday Times.

The Makerfield MP has opted for a black t shirt and jacket along his journey back into Westminister, and will reportedly have no stylistic change as he moves into 10 Downing Street on Monday.

The paper reported that he would only wear a shirt and tie in the chamber or for exceptional events.

Andy Burnham will pledge to restore confidence in government and give people “breathing room” when he becomes prime minister on Monday.

The new Labour leader will set out his domestic priorities in his first speech from Downing Street after visiting the Palace to “kiss hands” with the King and formally take over from Sir Keir Starmer.

He is expected to characterise the moment as one of “reflection and resolution”, arguing Britain must be honest about the challenges it faces and demonstrate it can solve them.

And he will say he is “acutely conscious” that the UK has had seven prime ministers over the last 10 years, and stress the need for more stable and responsible politics.

Allies of Mr Burnham said he would argue that political stability must deliver “tangible” improvements along with the “breathing room” on the cost of living he has previously promised.

Having come to the Labour leadership without a contest barely a month after returning to Westminster, Mr Burnham is yet to set out much of his agenda for his premiership.

He has already said he wants to devolve power away from Westminster as one of his key priorities, driving that agenda with a new “No 10 North” in Manchester, which he is expected to visit later in the week.

Promising a “reset of priorities”, Mr Burnham has also announced he will scrap Sir Keir’s flagship digital ID programme in order to focus money and attention on the cost of living.

In his first week in office, the new prime minister is expected to unveil policies aimed at making people’s lives easier.

In an intervention hours before the new prime minister enters Downing Street, the US president – a vocal supporter of fossil fuels, who has repeatedly dismissed the scientifically-backed idea of the climate crisis – said the move would prevent Britain from becoming a “poverty stricken disaster”.

Mr Burnham previously insisted he would stick to Labour’s manifesto pledge not to issue new North Sea licences. But he has also refused to deny reports that he is considering approving new production.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump said: “The People of Aberdeen, in Scotland, are dancing in the streets because the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has stated that he will be opening up, all the way, the invaluable North Sea Oil!”

In his first Downing Street address on Monday, Mr Burnham will call for steadiness in government, arguing that the “unprecedented turnover in national leadership underlines the need for a more stable and responsible politics”.