Jack Fenwick

Andy Burnham is under pressure over rules allowing some prisoners, including two killers of police officer Andrew Harper, to qualify for early release. His government rejected a sentence-length approach that could have freed some sex offenders, but its crime-based policy triggered criticism from the public, media and Harper’s family. Burnham now says he has asked the justice secretary to accelerate measures to create prison capacity, including faster deportations and changes to the use of prison spaces, although details remain limited and the policy’s practical and political problems are unresolved.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is facing mounting criticism over the government’s handling of early release for prisoners, after it emerged that two killers of police officer Andrew Harper could still qualify for release next year. The government had prioritised excluding certain categories of offenders, such as rapists and child sex offenders, but maintained that broader exemptions risked overwhelming prison capacity. Following pressure from the public, media and Harper’s family, Burnham has asked the justice secretary to accelerate measures to create more prison space, including faster deportations of foreign criminals, expanded use of available prison facilities and reviewing historic indefinite sentences. However, details remain limited, and the episode risks reinforcing criticism that Burnham avoids difficult decisions while leaving victims’ families distressed.

The Metropolitan Police are investigating four £250,000 donations made to Reform UK before the 2024 general election—two directly from Fiona Cottrell and two from Britain Means Business, a company solely controlled by Reform deputy leader Richard Tice. Cottrell gave the company £1m, half of which it subsequently donated to the party. The investigation concerns whether donations from an impermissible source were concealed or recorded using false information. Reform says it followed Electoral Commission rules, while Tice says he was unaware of the investigation and accuses the police of politically motivated briefings. The Met says two people have been interviewed under caution, with no arrests, and has sought advice from the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Metropolitan Police are investigating four £250,000 donations made to Reform UK before the 2024 general election: two directly from Fiona Cottrell and two via Britain Means Business, a company solely owned and controlled by Reform deputy leader Richard Tice. Cottrell gave the company £1m, which then donated half to the party. The investigation concerns possible offences under Section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, including concealing an impermissible donor or providing false donation information. The Met says the investigation began in February 2025, two people have been interviewed under caution and no arrests have been made. Reform says it followed Electoral Commission rules, while Tice says he was unaware of the investigation and questions whether police briefings are politically motivated. The donations had previously been flagged to the National Crime Agency under the suspicious activity reporting system, and Reform has asked the agency to investigate alleged leaks of private financial information.

Andy Burnham is set to spend his first day as prime minister working from No 10 North in Manchester, a new government base intended to shift decisions on devolution and local economic growth away from Whitehall. Ministers Lucy Powell, Louise Haigh and Angela Rayner are also expected to work there, with up to 300 civil servants relocating. Burnham will chair the National Economic Council and meet business groups to discuss growth and investment. The initial base will be Heron House, while a permanent site in Ancoats is not expected to be completed until 2032. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized the plans as insufficient and urged action on business energy costs and defence funding.

Andy Burnham prepares to announce new cost of living measures as his newly appointed cabinet meets for the first time, outlining plans for a long-term strategy to reshape British politics. Key cabinet roles include John Healey as chancellor, Ed Miliband as foreign secretary, Angela Rayner as housing secretary, and Wes Streeting as defence secretary. Political leaders across parties respond with mixed reactions, while Burnham speaks with international counterparts including Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky and Ursula von der Leyen, affirming commitments on defence, alliances and closer EU-UK cooperation.

Andy Burnham is expected to approve new North Sea oil and gas drilling when he becomes prime minister, marking a shift from Labour’s previous pledge not to issue new licences. The move follows controversy over the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields, which were approved under Conservative leadership before being overturned in 2025. The decision comes amid wider policy plans, including public control of utilities and expanded council house building. Labour remains divided over the role of oil and gas in the energy transition, with some MPs stressing job security and others prioritising renewable energy. The issue has drawn pressure from Conservatives, Reform UK, industry groups, and international figures including Donald Trump. Burnham is finalising his cabinet, with speculation around senior appointments such as Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood.

The Metropolitan Police opened a formal investigation into claims that a £37,500 portion of donations to Robert Jenrick’s 2024 Conservative leadership campaign may have originated from the US company Innovyz, whose founder later pleaded guilty to wire fraud. The Electoral Commission first examined the donations from Spott Fitness, later attributed to businessman Phillip Ullmann, before referring information to police. Jenrick denies knowingly accepting improper funds and says he complied with electoral law. The Conservative Party states that all candidates were reminded of donation rules, while the investigation continues.

The home secretary plans to amend the 1971 Immigration Act to allow the deportation of Shabir Ahmed, the recently released ringleader of the Rochdale grooming gang. Ahmed cannot currently be removed due to protections for long‑term Commonwealth residents. Ministers from both main parties have urged rapid legal changes, although no agreement exists with Pakistan to accept him. Ahmed remains under strict licence conditions, and victims have expressed fear over his release.

The defence investment plan increases UK military funding by £15bn, but only £10.3bn is currently identified, leaving £4.7bn for the next prime minister to find at the autumn Budget. The plan also depends on £10.7bn in defence efficiencies by 2030 and assumes defence will be protected in future spending reviews, potentially pressuring other departments. Labour figures, including John Healey and several senior MPs, argue the funding remains insufficient. Andy Burnham is expected to inherit the unresolved financial gap, with uncertainty surrounding his approach to defence as he prepares for a likely transition into office.

The Defence Investment Plan increases UK armed forces funding by £15bn, though only £10.3bn of this has been identified by the Treasury, leaving £4.7bn for the next government to find at the autumn Budget. The plan also assumes £10.7bn in defence efficiencies by 2030 and prioritisation of defence in the next spending review, potentially requiring cuts elsewhere. John Healey’s resignation over funding levels, Dan Jarvis’s claims of securing extra Treasury support, and widespread Labour MP concerns highlight unresolved tensions. Andy Burnham, expected to become prime minister, faces significant budget pressures and uncertainty over defence priorities as he inherits these gaps.

Andy Burnham intends to divide his working time between Downing Street and Manchester if he becomes prime minister, positioning his presence in the city as a symbol of deeper devolution. In his first speech since launching his Labour leadership bid, he proposed creating a No 10 North unit to oversee a significant shift of power from Whitehall to English regions, including decisions on housing, transport and economic policy. Burnham is currently the only declared candidate to replace Keir Starmer, potentially becoming prime minister by 20 July. Historical comparisons show previous leaders spent time away from London, though none made such an arrangement central to their governing approach.