Andy Burnham set to handle nation in first massive interview as Prime Minister

After a busy first week as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham is set for his first big TV interview with the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg after announcing a raft of new policies

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham is finally stepping out to take on his first major sit-down TV interview since taking over No. 10. The newly-crowned PM has faced criticism for dodging reporters in the run-up to taking charge of the country.

But the “King of the North” has now allowed the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg behind closed doors for an exclusive chat inside his brand new secondary base, dubbed “No 10 North”. Andy Burnham: The Laura Kuenssberg Interview will hit screens on Sunday, marking the first time Burnham will face a proper grilling as leader of the country.

It caps off a breakneck first week for the Liverpudlian politician, who wasted no time shifting Britain’s power axis up the M6.

Setting up shop in Manchester, Burnham told misty-eyed staff that starting work at his new northern HQ was “the best day of his life”.

Reflecting on his whirlwind start, the PM said: “Things are coming full circle here, for me to be here with you all in the heart of Manchester this Friday morning at the end of a fairly big week is just everything to me.”

Burnham claims No 10 North isn’t a gimmick and is designed to smash Whitehall’s grip on the country and “put the power in every postcode”.

Swiping at past administrations, he told staff: “It’s felt a little at times that local government’s just been a bit forgotten and places aren’t able to do what they want to do.”

And Burnham has already unleashed a avalanche of new policy schemes. On day one, he said his “first instruction” was “to end rough sleeping in our country”, backed by a promise for the biggest council house building drive since World War Two.

The Treasury axe hit hard as he scrapped the previous government’s digital ID scheme to fund an £850m cut to VAT on household electric bills, slashing roughly £45 off average yearly costs.

A £500m scheme will replace foreign climate grants with loans will see regional bus fares capped at £2 from January 2027.

Burnham also announced a huge 20 per cent business rate cut for local boozers and music venues, aiming to save local watering holes £1,100 a year from April 2027.

He brutally purged Starmer loyalists including Steve Reed, David Lammy and James Murray, handing top jobs to Miatta Fahnbulleh and Wes Streeting.

He also pulled the handbrake on controversial plans to release thousands of prisoners early from overcrowded jails.

All eyes now turn to Sunday morning, where viewers will see whether the elusive new Prime Minister can handle the heat under the media spotlight.