Andy Burnham is taking a holiday after a little over two weeks in No 10. The Prime Minister took office on July 20 but will be taking a break from his day-to-day duties to spend time with his family.
Government to continue functioning
He will remain in direct contact with officials and continue holding meetings during the overseas break, with allies insisting the Government will continue functioning normally during his absence from Downing Street.
Mr Burnham, who is married with three children, has made a blizzard of announcements during his first fortnight in No 10. He promised to remove VAT from electricity bills, pledged to end rough sleeping, announced the reinstatement of a £2 cap on bus fares in England, began cross-party talks on social care and vowed to be “relentless” in tackling small boat crossings.
First fortnight's achievements
The Prime Minister also announced a cut in business rates for pubs, established No 10 North while promising extra powers to regional mayors and also found time to suggest Gianni Infantino was the wrong man to lead international football’s ruling body Fifa.
Mr Burnham’s holiday comes after his campaign to win the Makerfield by-election in June led to a rapid rise to replacing Sir Keir Starmer in No 10. Officials would not be drawn on where the Prime Minister is holidaying, although it is understood to be abroad rather than within the UK.
Criticism from Reform UK
His most recent public appearance was on Sunday in Dover, a popular port for ferry crossings to the continent, although he was using the visit to Kent to promote his Government’s efforts to tackle small boat crossings.
Reform UK chairman Lee Anderson criticised the Prime Minister, saying: “Two weeks into the job and Andy Burnham has already had enough. “After dropping a number of unfunded commitments and overseeing over 2,000 illegal migrants breaking into our country he’s bunked off for a jolly abroad. This isn’t a Prime Minister that’s serious about leading.”
