The new man in Downing Street will at some point have to address awkward issues such as funding and demands for a referendum

Andy Burnham faces a daunting in-tray as Britain’s new prime minister, from a slowing economy and strained services to volatile global crises and US ties.

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The Makerfield MP is expected to take office on Monday

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Burnham's first challenge will be the choice of his Cabinet team and especially his finance minister. Friction in this axis of government has brought down previous administrations.

The longer-run task of ensuring the UK really is a country for all applies most particularly to the communities suffering most hostility

The new man in Downing Street will at some point have to address awkward issues such as funding and demands for a referendum

The perennial funding crisis will be high on the agenda