As Summer comes to an end and a new term in Parliament begins, it’s all change at the top in Westminster.
In July, Andy Burnham became Prime Minister with a new approach to Government and a clear set of refreshed priorities.
He’s already hit the ground running with the abolition of VAT on household electricity bills, paid for by scrapping plans for Digital ID, increased investment to help young people into work and tough measures to arrest the decline of our high streets.
It’s been a positive start and that’s reflected in national opinion polls and by the reactions I’ve heard from local people. However, there’s still so much to do to deliver the type of country we all want to see.
The cost-of-living crisis has not gone away and I look forward to hearing further from him on plans to help working people not only survive but thrive. The Budget in October will be key but we can’t wait until then to give struggling families the support they need.
Similarly, our welfare system needs thorough review so that it protects our most vulnerable and provides a leg up to those who find themselves in difficulty but does so efficiently and fairly. Difficult decisions will be needed to make it more reflective of the society we live in today.
Defence will also be top of the new PM’s in tray and I was pleased to see him pledge support to Ukraine as they continue to resist the intimidation of Vladimir Putin. We must also commit the resources necessary to protect our country from external threats from Russia, Iran and others.
These are only a few of the challenges our Prime Minister will face. I wish him all the best as he grapples with the task ahead amid an everchanging and complicated world.