Andy Burnham will officially launch his campaign as the Labour candidate in the Makerfield by-election on Friday morning, as he looks to secure a return to parliament after nine years.It is widely believed that Mr Burnham, who is currently the mayor of Greater Manchester, is looking to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership if he becomes an MP. The prime minister has made clear he has no intentions to step down and said on Thursday he would campaign alongside Mr Burnham in the by-election, which will be held on 18 June.“I’ve said to the whole Labour movement that I want everybody to be involved in the campaign, whatever other discussions are going on, it’s really important – that’s a straight fight between Labour and Reform,” Sir Keir said. But current polling of Labour party members shows that Mr Burnham would win comfortably if there was a leadership contest between the pair. Meanwhile, Sir Keir’s government is looking to seize back control of the headlines after a turbulent two weeks with Rachel Reeves announcing a series of measures to help ease cost of living pressures for Britons on Thursday. UK borrowing jumps to £24.3bn to second highest April on record UK Government borrowing jumped to a higher-than-expected £24.3 billion last month, marking the second highest April level on record, according to official figures.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said borrowing was a quarter higher, or £4.9 billion, than a year earlier.It was also £3.4 billion more than the £20.9 billion forecast by the UK’s independent fiscal forecaster, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).The latest figures showed interest costs on government debt hit £10.3 billion – a record April high and £900 million more than a year ago.Holly Evans22 May 2026 07:15Bryony Gooch22 May 2026 07:00Bryony Gooch22 May 2026 06:00Bryony Gooch22 May 2026 05:00In pictures: Burnham gets campaigning around MakerfieldAndy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, speaks with a local resident as he goes door to door (Getty)Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, goes door to door canvassing for the Makerfield by-election (Getty)Bryony Gooch22 May 2026 04:00Bryony Gooch22 May 2026 03:00Pay rises for senior civil servants to be linked to performance, Darren Jones saysChief secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones has announced changes to “modernise” the civil service including pay rises linked to performance for senior servants.“Earlier this year, I set out plans to modernise the civil service - rewarding high performers, and strengthening accountability for those who fall short. Now, for the first time ever (!), pay rises for senior civil servants will be linked to performance - including the delivery of our political priorities.”Bryony Gooch22 May 2026 02:00Bryony Gooch22 May 2026 01:00Recap: Reeves backs Starmer to stay in postChancellor Rachel Reeves backed Sir Keir Starmer to stay in post and said she expected to be delivering the next budget, in a series of broadcast interviews.She told Sky News: “The Prime Minister is getting on with his job in being Prime Minister, and there is no vacancy. Let’s see what happens in the future.“But Keir Starmer is the Prime Minister. He has chosen me to be his Chancellor, and I’m getting on with my job, delivering for the country and delivering for our Prime Minister.”Bryony Gooch22 May 2026 00:00Burnham set to officially launch Makerfield by-election campaignAndy Burnham is set to officially launch his campaign as the Labour candidate in the Makerfield by-election on Friday morning.The mayor of Greater Manchester is looking to secure a return to parliament after nine years - after which it is widely expected he will launch a bid to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister. As we reported earlier, Sir Keir said he will campaign alongside Mr Burnham. “I’ve said to the whole Labour movement that I want everybody to be involved in the campaign, whatever other discussions are going on, it’s really important – that’s a straight fight between Labour and Reform,” Sir Keir said. Alex Croft21 May 2026 23:08