This email was sent to ft1nr37o@anonaddy.me from newsletters@email.independent.co.uk
Click here to deactivate this alias

Athena Stavrou, Political Reporter

Burnham's top team takes shape

Less than a week until Andy Burnham officially walks through the door of No 10 as prime minister and news of his top team is in high demand.

With a total overhaul expected in government, many of the Makerfield MP's allies in the Labour Party have been jostling for top jobs.

Though names have been kept largely under wraps so far, allies of Louise Haigh have told The Independent she is set to take a key role.

The former transport secretary is said to have already been inked in to run the Cabinet Office as the new chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, giving her a significant role in policy formation.

Though all will be revealed when Burnham (officially) takes office next week, the Westminster rumour mill will undoubtedly continue to churn in the meantime.

Daily debrief

⁠If Andy Burnham had any sense he’d hang on to Rachel Reeves

The new prime minister and his chancellor are going to have to face some difficult spending decisions early on. But a ‘mega-budget’ doing everything, everywhere all at once is a risky strategy and a dangerous gamble, says James Moore

Finally, the IRGC has been banned – I hope Burnham goes even further

British-Iranian dissident Vahid Beheshti went on a hunger strike to demand that the UK outlaw the brutal military group that directs Tehran’s terrorist proxies. After years of official reluctance, it has now been proscribed as a threat to our national security – but there is much more that the new administration can do to keep us all safe

⁠I resigned from the police over Rochdale – the powers-that-be are still not listening

In her eleventh-hour efforts to have the grooming gang ringleader Shabir Ahmed deported back to Pakistan, I fear Shabana Mahmood has merely exposed a justice system that keeps failing victims, says Maggie Oliver

Will Burnham make you richer?

Helen and Cleo analyse Burnham’s economic proposals so far and give insight into the harsh reality politicians face when promising ‘growth’ - does Burnham have enough time before the next general election for people to really feel this change?

LISTEN NOW

What else you need to know

Police say it is “clear” Ann Widdecombe’s killing was targeted, as officers are given more time to question their main suspect over the death.
Boris Johnson’s government wasted almost £10bn as it scrambled to buy personal protective equipment (PPE) that was eventually found to be unusable, the Covid inquiry has found.
The public will be urged to stockpile food and water in case of a cyberattack from Russia, under widescale plans to prepare Britain for “should the worst happen”.

Don't forget to complete your registration

We've noticed that you still have not completed your registration to The Independent. Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism. It allows us to better understand our readers and tailor your experience.