Andy Burnham selected his Cabinet after replacing Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister on Monday and made several pledges, including help for households struggling with the cost of living
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.
That may sound like dry Treasury language. For thousands of families, it could be life-changing.
A higher allowance could lift part-time workers, carers, people on the minimum wage doing reduced hours and pensioners with small workplace pensions out of paying income tax altogether.
That is a far more powerful prize than a percentage saving buried in a Budget document. It means people keeping every pound they earn until they reach a higher threshold.
For households counting every penny, that extra money could help cover food, heating, school costs or the occasional family treat that has become impossible after years of financial pressure.
Mr Burnham is right to focus on people who work hard yet still cannot afford a drink on Friday, a day out with the children or a modest holiday.
But there is a question he cannot avoid: who pays?
Raising the allowance would cost the Treasury billions. That money cannot be found by cutting benefits, weakening public services or placing another burden on those already struggling.
Mr Burnham has promised measures on Tuesday and more detail before his first Budget.
He has identified the right problem and offered hope to millions.
Now he must show that the help is real, properly funded and aimed at those who need it most.