PM-in-waiting ruled out an early election, backed a better post-Brexit trade deal with the EU and chose Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas among his favourite films

In his first broadcast interview since winning the Makerfield by-election, the prime minister-in-waiting ruled out 'crude cuts' to welfare.

Burnham's message on public finances came minutes after he said he had “deliberately” avoided making a decision on his Chancellor pick.

Given pressures on the public purse, the Makerfield MP may have to look at autumn tax rises to fund his ‘new direction’

PM-in-waiting Andy Burnham - who is expected to succeed Keir Starmer in No10 later this month - said his focus would be delivering on Labour’s 2024 election manifesto

PM-in-waiting ruled out an early election, backed a better post-Brexit trade deal with the EU and chose Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas among his favourite films

As mayor of Greater Manchester the likeley-next PM presided over several housing initiatives