Ed Miliband's cost of living adviser has resigned from the role after fewer than six months, delivering a pointed warning to new Prime Minister Andy Burnham about the difficulty of achieving change within Government. The departure comes at a sensitive moment for Burnham, who has faced criticism over the handling of policy funding, including an £850 million energy bills package that was unveiled without a clear funding plan.

The outgoing czar reportedly told Burnham it was "damn hard to get anything done" in Whitehall, reflecting frustration with the pace and structure of Government decision-making. The resignation follows Burnham telling his Cabinet that ministers must "always show how they are going to pay" for policies, a message issued just hours after his own energy bills announcement drew scrutiny for lacking costed detail.