Andy Burnham took office on July 20 but No10 officials have confirmed he is now set for some time away from his new office and the UK.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham (Image: Getty)
The UK’s new prime minister is taking a holiday after just two weeks in office.
Andy Burnham took over from Keir Starmer as PM on July 20 but will be taking a break from his day-to-day duties to spend time with his family.
He will remain in direct contact with officials and continue holding meetings during his overseas trip, according to No 10.
Mr Burnham’s allies have insisted that the Government will continue functioning normally during his absence from Downing Street.
The husband and father of three has made several announcements during his first fortnight in No 10.
He promised to remove VAT from electricity bills, pledged to end rough sleeping, announced the reinstatement of a £2 cap on bus fares in England, began cross-party talks on social care and vowed to be “relentless” in tackling small boat crossings.
Mr Burnham has also announced a cut in business rates for pubs, established No 10 North while promising extra powers to regional mayors and also found time to suggest Gianni Infantino was the wrong man to lead international football’s ruling body Fifa.
The holiday comes after Mr Burnham’s campaign to win the Makerfield by-election in June. He then has a rapid rise to replacing Sir Keir Starmer in No 10.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his wife Marie-France van Heel (Image: Getty)
Officials would not say where the Prime Minister is holidaying, but it is understood that he will be taking a trip abroad.
Reform UK chairman Lee Anderson criticised the Prime Minister, saying: “Two weeks into the job and Andy Burnham has already had enough.
“After dropping a number of unfunded commitments and overseeing over 2,000 illegal migrants breaking into our country he’s bunked off for a jolly abroad.
“This isn’t a Prime Minister that’s serious about leading.”
It comes as the new PM faces a huge backlash over the Government’s planned sentencing changes, which would mean PC Andrew Harper’s killers may be eligible for early release.
Burnham announced on Monday that rape, serious child sexual offences and grooming would be excluded from the scheme aimed at easing prison overcrowding – meaning PC Harper’s killers would still qualify.
The 28-year-old police officer sustained fatal injuries while responding to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in August 2019.
Tributes are left at the scene where PC Andrew Harper died (Image: Getty)
Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg said: “I am beyond disappointed the Government is continuing to allow PC Andrew Harper’s killers to be released early from prison despite the overwhelming recent public outcry.
“It is simple: if Andrew’s killers were convicted today, they would receive life sentences due to the law that was created in his name. They would not be eligible for early release.
“This decision is demoralising for all police officers and our fellow emergency service workers, not just in the Thames Valley, that puts themselves in harm’s way to protect and serve their community.”
Pc Harper’s widow Lissie Harper said releasing killers early would be “an affront to justice” and “an utter betrayal”.
She added: “The level of disrespect the Government are showing to Andrew and other victims – and to their loved ones such as me – is beyond contempt.”