Andy Burnham becomes UK PM, scrapping digital ID and pledging cost‑of‑living aid

Andy Burnham, former Greater Manchester mayor, was invited by King Charles III to form a government on 20 July, becoming the United Kingdom’s seventh prime minister in a decade. In his first Downing Street speech he said he would scrap the government‑mandated digital ID programme and redirect its £1.8 billion cost to help with the cost‑of‑living crisis. He also promised to push devolution with a “No 10 North” based in Manchester and signalled a better hearing for the Liverpool City Region, whose mayor expects a sympathetic ear in Westminster. Burnham’s early agenda also hints at possible new oil and gas licences in the North Sea and a review of public control over utilities such as Thames Water.