
AI-generated summary
Andy Burnham became Prime Minister six weeks prior, succeeding Sir Keir Starmer just before Parliament's summer recess. His first appearance before MPs in the House of Commons outlined his vision for economic growth through devolution, defence policy under Chancellor John Healey, climate commitments via COP31 attendance, and housing reform to end the leasehold system.
Andy Burnham has taken questions from MPs in the House of Commons for the first time since taking over as prime minister.
The statement on his future plans for power comes six weeks after he took over from Sir Keir Starmer in July, just before Parliament's summer recess.
Here are the main points from what he said.
Burnham told MPs his time as mayor of Greater Manchester had given him a "clear theory of growth" that further devolution of power away from Westminster would help boost the UK's economic prospects.
But he said he wanted to avoid a "two-tier England" - where areas that have already been given greater powers pull away from those that have not.
He announced that work was under way with Cornwall council and its six MPs on a devolution deal, "with or without" an elected mayor, to help the rural economy.
Burnham's move to grant the county greater powers, without requiring it to team up with councils in neighbouring areas, could open the door to more devolution for other single counties.
Burnham also said he would meet leaders in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to explore more local powers there.
The statement was the first chance for Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch to grill Burnham on defence spending following headlines on the issue over the summer.
Chancellor John Healey was appointed by Burnham after quitting as defence secretary under Sir Keir Starmer, calling for the UK to spend 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence by 2030.
However, since entering the Treasury, Healey is yet to attach a date to this spending target, and has faced pressure to do so in recent days.
Healey has said a target date for increasing spending to 3% of GDP will be set out at the next government spending review, expected in spring next year.
But in a potential signal of his intentions in this area, Burnham said the arguments Healey had made about defence spending in his former role were a key reason why he had put him in charge of the Treasury.
Burnham confirmed he would attend the COP31 climate summit in November, as he vowed to "meet the climate challenge".
The annual UN climate change conference will take place in Antalya, Turkey, allowing Burnham to come face to face with many world leaders and senior officials.
While Sir Keir attended COP summits when he was prime minister, Rishi Sunak was criticised in 2022 for not going because he had "other pressing domestic commitments".
Burnham's pledge to attend the summit comes as he faces a looming decision about whether to allow drilling to start in the Rosebank oilfield and Jackdaw gasfield, in the North Sea, which have been in legal limbo for a year.
Labour's 2024 election manifesto promised to "finally bring the feudal leasehold system to an end", after campaigners said it was unfair that flat owners had little control over spiralling property costs.
A draft Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill published by Starmer's government earlier this year included plans to cap ground rent at £250, ban the sale of new leasehold flats and give homeowners greater control over how their buildings are managed.
Under the bill, leasehold would be banned "except in limited cases", and developers would no longer be allowed to sell new flats as leasehold.
That bill is yet to be introduced to Parliament, but Burnham confirmed he intended to "bring forward" a Commonhold and Leasehold Bill during the current session of Parliament, which began in May and would normally last around a year.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Burnham will introduce a Commonhold and Leasehold Bill in Parliament during the current session.
Likely · Within months
The UK will set a target date for reaching 3% of GDP on defence spending at the next government spending review in spring next year.
Likely · Within months
Burnham will attend COP31 in Antalya, Turkey in November.
Very likely · Within months

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states make decisions jointly by consensus, with no one imposing anything on another, calling the SCO an attractive platform with good prospects for mutual benefit.

The White House plans its first press briefing in 40 days on Thursday, but it remains unclear who will host it after Karoline Leavitt's departure as press secretary, with potential replacements including Scott Jennings, Steven Cheung, and Anna Kelly.

The US House of Representatives passed a temporary spending measure by a vote of 370 to 48, funding the federal government through December 11 and averting an immediate shutdown. The bill, which cleared the Senate earlier, now awaits President Trump's signature. Lawmakers aim to use the extension to negotiate full-year spending bills for the 2027 fiscal year amid ongoing partisan disputes and upcoming midterm elections on November 3.

The U.S. House passed a stopgap spending measure by a vote of 370-48 on Tuesday to fund the government through Dec. 11, averting a potential shutdown before the 2026 midterm elections. The bill, previously passed by the Senate, now heads to President Trump for signature. Despite opposition from GOP hard-liners over Planned Parenthood funding and hemp product regulations, bipartisan support secured the two-thirds majority needed under suspension of the rules.

First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov stated that Russia will not publish its list of critical infrastructure facilities for security reasons, though the enterprises involved will be aware of their inclusion, as reported during the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.

더불어민주당 최민희 최고위원은 윤리감찰단 부단장 강민구의 해임과 관련해 당 혁신이 필요하다고 말하며, 특정 지도부와 감찰단 간 사적 텔레그램 메시지 공개로 윤리감찰단의 공정성에 대한 의구심을 제기했다.