Andy Burnham opens up about father's death and family sacrifices

Andy Burnham has given ITV an exclusive behind-the-scenes account of his first 100 days as Prime Minister. ITV's Daniel Hewitt followed him from entering Downing Street in July through Prime Minister's Questions, his party conference speech and the first budget.

In the latest ITV coverage, Burnham opened up about the personal cost of the job. ITV reported that his father Roy died eight weeks into his premiership. Burnham said he was finding it hard because his father's funeral was the day after tomorrow. He said the job meant he could not grieve properly, sit in his Everton season ticket seat or go for a pint on his way home. He also acknowledged the impact on his wife Marie France and their three adult children, saying she had done a lot of the heavy lifting.

ITV also reported that Burnham said his government's first budget was not as radical as he wanted. He said the room for manoeuvre was less than he had hoped. On welfare, he said he did not want to see anyone in their 20s on benefits. He rejected an approach based on brutal cuts after the Institute for Fiscal Studies said brutal cuts would be needed. ITV reported that Burnham said he had exchanged messages with Keir Starmer and that they had a good working relationship. ITV reported that Burnham ruled out an election in 2027, and its later coverage said he would not call one until 2028 at the earliest.

Sky News reported from Makerfield, the constituency that propelled Burnham to Downing Street, to test whether the goodwill from his by-election win was holding. Its political editor Beth Rigby spoke to voters including Martin, who said immigration remained a big issue and that not enough was being done. Ian Mittie, who owns a pub, called for a reduction in VAT for hospitality. A focus group said Burnham still seemed parochial.

On GB News, Jacob Rees-Mogg said Burnham had done the politics well but the policy badly. He cited a YouGov poll putting Burnham on 28%, five points ahead of the Conservatives. He said Burnham had moved Labour sharply to the left and reopened the European issue.

ITV said its Tonight special, Burnham: Inside the First 100 Days, would be broadcast on Tuesday at 7.15pm.