Burnham promises to restore stability as UK enters 'new era'

New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham used his first speech outside Downing Street to promise political stability after years of upheaval, while vowing to maintain support for Ukraine and tackle the cost-of-living crisis that has squeezed households across the country.

Burnham, who became Britain's seventh prime minister in a decade after replacing Keir Starmer, said his government would work to restore confidence in politics by delivering "hope" and "national renewal".

He pledged to introduce a 10-year plan to rebuild the country, arguing that Britain needed a "circuit-breaker" from decades of economic and political decline.

"Britain needs to show the world that we can regain our stability once again," Burnham said just after being appointed by King Charles III to take over from Keir Starmer.

He pledged to "issue my first instruction to end rough sleeping in our country" once he starts work.

Unlike previous Labour leadership contests, Burnham entered Downing Street without having to defend his platform in televised debates or party hustings as he ran unopposed.

That fuelled criticism from opponents, who argued he had avoided detailed scrutiny of his domestic agenda and had not explained how he would fund many of his ambitions.

On his first day as prime minister, Burnham sought to address those concerns by announcing a £340 million (€400m euros) plan to end rough sleeping "at the earliest opportunity", backed by a cross-government strategy focused on prevention, emergency accommodation and long-term housing support.