Burnham’s first PMQs live: New PM faces Badenoch for first time as cost of UK borrowing rises – watch live
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Andy Burnham used his first Prime Minister's Questions to face fresh pressure on multiple fronts, refusing to rule out further tax rises in October's Budget while being warned that the pension triple lock is now unaffordable amid rising government borrowing costs. Kemi Badenoch branded him a "people pleaser" and accused him of spooking markets with "spendthrift" spending plans, while former NatWest chairman Sir Howard Davies said the government must "grasp the nettle" on the triple lock or risk its credibility, adding that investor unease was already causing "market jitters". The exchanges matter because they show Burnham facing simultaneous scrutiny over fiscal credibility and public services just weeks into the job, with his answers being read as early signals of how he intends to govern.
Burnham said his "first moves" had been tax cuts rather than rises but declined to pre-empt the Budget. He also faced Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey on two fronts: the prolonged closure of a maternity unit in North Devon, which Burnham attributed to "structural" nationwide midwife shortages he was aware of from his time as health secretary, and a call to rejoin the EU single market, which Burnham partly endorsed by blaming Brexit for a "decade of low growth" and pointing to an upcoming UK-EU summit where he wants better terms for British steel and farming.
- Burnham won't rule out tax rises in October's Budget
- Ex-NatWest chief says pension triple lock is unaffordable
- Burnham faces questions on maternity crisis and EU single market
Full account
Andy Burnham faced Kemi Badenoch across the despatch box for the first time on Wednesday, in a Prime Minister's Questions dominated by concern over the rising cost of government borrowing. The Conservative leader accused the new prime minister of being a "people pleaser" and a "spendthrift", telling MPs that financial markets were unnerved by his approach to public spending. Mr Burnham would not rule out further tax increases in the Budget due on 28 October, saying he had already signalled an intention to cut taxes but that, like any prime minister, he would not set out Budget measures during the session.
Badenoch challenged Mr Burnham to identify a single spending demand from his own backbenchers that he had turned down, casting him as unwilling to say no to his party. He replied that he wanted to reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training, and that he could not defend the current welfare bill, though he stopped short of detailing where savings might come from. The sparring took place against a backdrop of gilt yields climbing to multi-decade highs, with the former NatWest chairman Sir Howard Davies warning separately that the state pension triple lock was unaffordable and that the government needed to demonstrate a clearer fiscal direction to reassure markets.
Beyond the fiscal exchanges, Mr Burnham used the session to restate commitments to meet existing defence spending targets and to abandon the previous government's digital ID scheme. Pressed on tackling antisocial behaviour, including dangerous driving, he voiced support for a "broken window" style of policing, pointing to Greater Manchester's Operation Vulcan as a model that could be extended nationally and floating tighter regulation of fireworks. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey raised the prolonged closure of a maternity unit in North Devon, blamed on staff shortages that have forced women to travel up to two hours to give birth; Mr Burnham acknowledged longstanding midwife shortages nationally and said the health secretary was reviewing the issue.
The appearance came as economists warned of a difficult backdrop for the new administration, with Chancellor John Healey reportedly needing to close a gap of up to £14 billion at the Budget through some combination of tax rises and spending restraint. Analysts pointed to a mix of pressures pushing up borrowing costs globally, including renewed fighting involving Iran, persistent inflation and jitters over a possible correction in AI-related markets, while suggesting the UK was particularly exposed. Commentary from figures such as former minister and economist Jim O'Neill added to the sense of scrutiny on the new prime minister's fiscal credibility as he settles into the role.
Where outlets differ
The Independent leads with Burnham's direct quotes and gives more weight to policy substance raised at PMQs itself — his comments on antisocial behaviour/'broken window' policing, fireworks regulation, defence spending, digital ID, and the North Devon maternity unit exchange with Ed Davey.
The Daily Mail focuses more heavily on the political and market drama, framing Burnham's PMQs debut and preceding Commons statement as 'blustering' and criticised even by allies, and gives prominence to external criticism from economist Jim O'Neill and to gilt market movements.
The Mail provides more detail on the wider economic backdrop (Iran conflict, inflation, AI correction fears, the estimated £14bn fiscal gap facing Chancellor John Healey) and Badenoch's exact 'delightful'/'people pleaser' jibe, whereas the Independent emphasises Sir Howard Davies's separate warning on the pension triple lock and quotes Burnham's health-service comments in greater depth.
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