From 2 Sept 2026PMQs - snap verdictSo much for the talk of a new-look PMQs. (See 11.12am.) Although Andy Burnham and his team have spoken about adopting a new approach to the traditional Commons joust with the leader of the opposition, in the end this felt much like business as usual. Burnham was more willing to engage with Kemi Badenoch’s questions than Keir Starmer was (certainly in the late Starmer phase), and he did make a point of stressing several times his desire to work with opposition parties. But, although he has made “problem-solving, not point-scoring” his mantra, Burnham was quite happy to resort to point-scoring. His main blast was directed at Andrew Griffith, the new shadow chancellor, and his role in the Liz Truss mini-budget.Burnham may not have been particularly innovative, but he was good; confident, plausible, quite funny. In the exchanges with Badenoch, there was no obvious winner, but he had the best single put-down. That came when Badenoch asked:
double quotation markThe prime minister told the house that his summer of promises would be paid for by reprioritising within government. So what exactly has he cut?
Burnham replied: “In terms of what has he cut? Tax is the simple answer.” This was a reference to the point he made yesterday about how his early announcements included two tax cuts in his first week.While Burnham and Badenoch will both be fairly happy with how the exchanges went, one person less pleased will be the PM’s diary secretary. Burnham did seem to agree to a lot of meetings with MPs wanting to discuss this, that or the other. (Starmer would have fobbed them off with a meeting with a minister, which is what Burnham himself will probably be doing before too long.) And this did seem to confirm Badenoch’s point about Burnham being a people pleaser. (See 12.09pm.) She claimed that, in response to 125 questions yesterday, Burnham did not once say no to a spending request. It is a fair line of attack, although probably not one that will be available for long because Burnham will soon discover that he cannot do this job without having to disappoint.Key events2 Sept 2026Afternoon summary2 Sept 2026Tories accuse Burnham of going back on plan to give No 10 North full control of growth policy2 Sept 2026Farage says Reform UK's bank account has suspended several times, claiming this shows money laundering rules too strict2 Sept 2026Swinney says NHS Scotland health boards reorganisation won't involve compulsory redundancies2 Sept 2026Burnham blames Tory legacy for leaving UK economy vulnerable2 Sept 2026PMQs - snap verdict2 Sept 2026Just Stop Oil protesters block road outside parliament2 Sept 2026Burnham told 'vibes alone' not enough for UK security, as Labour's Tan Dhesi says defence spending should rise faster2 Sept 2026Burnham suggests he is open to devolving power over policing to Welsh government2 Sept 2026Burnham says he wants closer relationship with EU - but ducks Lib Dem challenge to back joining single market2 Sept 2026Badenoch accuses Burnham of being 'people pleaser', not a leader2 Sept 2026Burnham offers to work with Tories on getting welfare spending down2 Sept 2026Burnham faces Badenoch at PMQs2 Sept 2026Polanski marks first anniversary of his election as Green leader by highlighing achievements2 Sept 2026First minister Rhun ap Iorwerth says Wales faces 'very challenging' budget situation2 Sept 2026Can Burnham change PMQs?2 Sept 2026Polanski says Greens will make Holborn and St Pancras byelection 'referendum on ending rip-off Britain'2 Sept 2026Scottish government accused of 'slash and burn' approach to health boards2 Sept 2026Cabinet Office minister Sally Jameson rejects suggestions government does not have firm control of spending2 Sept 2026Former bank chief Howard Davies joins O'Neill in urging Burnham to scrap pensions triple lock2 Sept 2026Burnham's Commons speech 'last thing' bond market wanted to hear because it implied more spending, Jim O'Neill says2 Sept 2026Burnham to take PMQs as borrowing costs rise, and thinktank says higher defence spending not 'realistic' without tax riseAfternoon summary
