Andy Burnham took office as UK prime minister in July 2026 following Keir Starmer’s resignation and a Labour leadership contest, winning a by-election to re-enter Parliament after a decade as Greater Manchester mayor. Three months in, he maintains strong personal poll ratings and has helped Labour regain a lead in voting intention surveys, though the economy remains a drag with high inflation, energy costs and public borrowing constraints. His first budget, scheduled for late October 2026, will test delivery on promised reforms including devolution, closer EU ties ahead of a November summit, electoral system changes and a national care service. An autumn spending review and the next general election, due by 2029, represent key milestones that could shape his tenure, with early-election speculation persisting amid fiscal pressures and opposition scrutiny from the Conservatives and Reform UK.