Andy Burnham has returned to his duties as Prime Minister after taking time off following the death of his father, Roy, who died on Monday after suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Burnham publicly thanked political rivals and the public for their messages of support, saying the warmth shown had helped his family through a difficult period. The episode is notable because Burnham has repeatedly cited his father's illness as a personal driver behind his push to reform social care.

Roy Burnham, who was in his mid-80s, was a former telephone engineer for the Post Office and BT and raised his son, alongside two brothers, in Culcheth, Cheshire. In a post on X, Burnham singled out leaders of other parties for their kind messages. He resumes a packed schedule, including a visit in the South East, talks with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, and a meeting with Canadian counterpart Mark Carney, after deputy Louise Haigh covered for him at the TUC conference in Brighton.