Andy Burnham will address MPs in the Commons for the first time as prime minister today, six weeks after taking office. It will be his first ministerial statement from the dispatch box in more than 16 years.
As MPs return to Westminster, Burnham has unveiled a series of announcements over the summer that have broadly been well received and have boosted Labour's poll ratings.
Statement expected to focus on public control
Burnham will chair cabinet in the morning and then make a ministerial statement in the Commons after 3.30pm. According to a preview by Jessica Elgot, he will talk about his intention to bring more essential services back into public control.
The BBC's preview indicates Burnham will say he wants to "unlock a feeling of positivity and possibility" in every part of the country.
Positive tone may face Commons challenge
For the past six weeks, Burnham's tone has been relentlessly positive. He repeatedly says he wants to focus on "problem-solving, not point-scoring". Labour MPs chose Burnham as leader because they thought Keir Starmer would not be able to stop Nigel Farage becoming PM, but Burnham has said very little in public critical of Farage, Reform UK, or the Tories. He views partisan mud-slinging as part of the old politics he would like to reject.
With little new to announce, journalists will likely focus on how Labour and opposition MPs respond to him. The Commons tradition, culture and architecture prioritise conflict, and it remains to be seen if Burnham can avoid the usual aggressive ding-dong. This will be an even bigger challenge at PMQs tomorrow.
Day's agenda
9.30am: Burnham chairs cabinet. Noon: Downing Street holds a lobby briefing. 2.30pm: Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, takes his seat as an MP after winning the Clacton byelection during the summer recess. 2.30pm: Ed Miliband, the foreign secretary, takes questions in the Commons. After 3.30pm: Burnham gives a statement to MPs. Late afternoon: Alex Norris, the justice secretary, gives a statement about changes to the prisoner early release scheme.
