Charlotte Hadfield
Live reporter

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

It's been another busy day in Westminster as Andy Burnham remains the front-runner to become the next Labour leader.

The new Makerfield MP, who met with outgoing PM Keir Starmer on Tuesday for the first time since his by-election victory, is set to receive briefings from civil servants on taking over as prime minister.

But the route he should take to get to No 10 remains up for debate, with some Labour MPs calling for a contest and others hoping for an "orderly transition".

While ministers weigh up whether to challenge Burnham for the Labour leadership, if no-one comes forward, he could become the next prime minister in just over three weeks.

With all eyes on the top job, questions remain over what Burnham's policy ideas could look like.

No 10 says there will be "no new major policy or spending commitments" until a new prime minister is appointed, but crucially, this does not appear to include the much-delayed Defence Investment Plan.

We're pausing our live coverage, but you can read the latest in our news story.

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

We've been hearing from Labour Party figures on BBC Radio 5 Live this afternoon.

Labour North East Mayor Kim McGuinness says Burnham being the next prime minister feels like a "foregone conclusion" and the government needs to "get on and actually deliver and start talking about something else because there are bigger problems, bigger fish to fry".

She says she's supportive of Burnham because of his focus on devolution - the transfer of power away from central government. "That's a complete change in the way this country is run," she says.

Labour MP for Gillingham and Rainham, Naushabah Khan, says she'll be backing Burnham but is still interested in "what other contenders have got to say".

"I think that we do need to test the ideas. We do need have a conversation because I know that Andy has very much set out a stall in Makerfield about what he's about...but for constituencies like mine in Kent, in Gillingham and Raynham, I now want to hear what his wider vision is for the country," Khan says.

Why UK's prime minister can change without a general electionpublished at 16:58 BST

16:58 BST

Peter Barnes
BBC political analyst

Image source, Reuters

The UK’s constitution allows for there to be a change of prime minister without a general election. In fact, it’s pretty common.

Of the last 10 prime ministers, only four came into office at a general election: Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, David Cameron and Keir Starmer.

The other six became prime minister between elections: John Major, Gordon Brown, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. Of those, only Boris Johnson held a general election within six months of entering Downing Street.

The principle is that the UK has a parliamentary system, not a presidential one.

Voters choose constituency members of Parliament, and whoever can command a majority in the House of Commons has the constitutional right to be prime minister.

Brexit could be another contentious topic for Burnhampublished at 16:50 BST

16:50 BST

By Tamara Kovacevic

Current front-runner to be prime minister Andy Burnham has been accused by Reform UK of wanting to rejoin the EU, so BBC Verify has examined his recent statements on this.

Burnham was shadow home secretary during the 2016 Brexit referendum and campaigned to remain, but also criticised the campaign for being “far too much Hampstead and not enough Hull”.

At Labour Party conference in September last year, he told the Guardian: “I’m going to be honest. I’m going to say I want to rejoin. I hope, in my lifetime, I see this country rejoining the European Union.”

After being asked by ITV on 17 May if he supported rejoining, Burnham replied: “I’ve said in the long term, there is a case for that, but I’m not advocating that in this by-election… Britain has got to focus very much on here and now.”

Speaking at an event in Leeds a day later, he said leaving the bloc had "been damaging" but he was not proposing rejoining.

Burnham said the “last thing we should do right now is rerun those arguments", adding that he respects "the decision made at the referendum".

Image source, PA Media

As we reported earlier, the government is planning to press ahead with its controversial defence spending proposals, which have already triggered the resignations of two defence ministers.

The delayed Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will be published before the upcoming Nato summit begins on 7 July.

New Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis has vowed to ensure the UK's armed forces have the "resources that they need", but he hasn't said if there will be any additional cash.

The plan could potentially cause issues for leadership contenders with different ideas about defence spending.

Al Carns, who is yet to rule out launching his own leadership campaign, would likely want an increase in spending.

Andy Burnham told the Times there needs to be reform of public investment and procurement, reducing the welfare bill by bringing recipients into the workforce, ensuring more money is available for defence.

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge says the DIP should be the "top item" for Burnham if he becomes PM.

Next PM may have to reopen defence spending debatepublished at 16:15 BST

16:15 BST

By Ben Chu, policy and analysis correspondent, BBC Verify

The government’s Defence Investment Plan (DIP) was expected to be published earlier this month but the former Defence Secretary, John Healey, resigned in advance saying it “falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time”.

In his resignation letter Healey said the plan would have increased UK defence spending from 2.6% of GDP in 2027 to 2.68% by 2030.

This 0.08% of GDP increase would be equivalent to an extra £2.4bn a year in today’s money.

Healey argued the UK should be aiming for 3% of GDP by 2030 which would imply an increase of £12bn a year in today’s money on 2027 levels.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has today recommitted to publish the final DIP by the time of the next Nato summit on 7 July at the latest.

And, despite the appointment of Dan Jarvis as the new defence secretary there has, so far, been no suggestion from No 10 Downing Street that extra cash will be found relative to what was previously planned.

So if that happened the next prime minister - if they took office after 7 July - would have to re-open the military financial settlement if they wanted to increase defence spending beyond what is outlined in the current DIP.

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

During Andy Burnham's Makerfield by-election campaign, he set out a number of policy ideas.

He committed to the economic rules set by Chancellor Rachel Reeves - and said he'd keep Labour's manifesto promise not to increase the main rates of income tax, VAT, or National Insurance.

But there are still many areas of policy that Burnham has not covered. And he's faced some questions over it.

Reform's Nigel Farage has criticised Burnham for not having a mandate - especially if he becomes prime minister uncontested. Farage also told BBC Radio 4's Today programme, "I have absolutely no idea where Andy Burnham stands on anything".

And Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said questions remain over what the new Makerfield MP's policies would be on defence and welfare.

Within the Labour Party, MP Nadia Whittome has supported a leadership contest - saying that candidates should have to set out their policies "transparently" and be "scrutinised".

But for others, like minister Nick Thomas-Symonds and MP Jo White, the priority is getting a new leader into power. And Labour peer Baroness Margaret Hodge says while it's not ideal, she'd rather see a new team in position as soon as possible - followed by Andy Burnham making his plans clear.

Andy Burnham is expected in south-west London on Wednesday alongside Labour activists at a campaign event.

The new MP for Makerfield arrived in London yesterday to be sworn in at Westminster on the same day as Keir Starmer announced he would stand down as Labour leader and prime minister.

The pair had a meeting earlier today.

Henry Zeffman
Chief political correspondent

Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham held a meeting earlier today.

It was the first time the two men had spoken since Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election on Friday.

The meeting was first reported by the Times.

Judy in Bracknell says she is "fuming" because she wanted Keir Starmer to stay but argues against a general election for the sake of "continuity".

But James in Reading says an early election is needed in order "to know the mettle of the person who will be making judgements" as prime minister.

"We are not stress-testing the people who ultimately get the job," he tells 5 Live.

John in Solihull says a new rule should be brought in altogether, one that would mean any new, unelected prime minister must go to the country within 12 months of entering office.

"We can't go on average one or two prime ministers a year...the system is broken," he says.

Peter Barnes
BBC political analyst

Each party has its own rules for electing a new leader when the old one resigns.

For the Labour Party, the first stage of the process is for potential candidates to seek the support of other MPs. The current rules are that they need nominations from 20% of the parliamentary party in the House of Commons – 81 MPs – as well as backing either from individual constituency parties or affiliated organisations including trade unions.

If only one candidate reaches the required threshold they become the new leader without a full contest.

That’s what happened in 2007, for example, when Gordon Brown took over from Tony Blair.

If more than one candidate is nominated it goes to a vote of party members and affiliated supporters. That happened in 2020 when Keir Starmer beat Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy to be elected leader, replacing Jeremy Corbyn.

• Jess Phillips and Emily Thornberry also ran for Labour's leadership in 2020, but did not win enough support to proceed to the final ballot.

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

Al Carns

• Resigned as armed forces minister amid a dispute with Prime Minister Keir Starmer over military funding
• Speaking to journalists today, Carns says a decision to run for prime minister would be based on "multiple factors"
• Carns is currently MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, and before entering politics he had a 24-year military career - which included serving with the Royal Marines in Afghanistan

Image source, Reuters

Darren Jones

• Was given a key No 10 role by Keir Starmer in September 2025 when he was appointed chief secretary to the prime minister
• Jones has risen through the ranks since he was first elected as the MP for Bristol North West in 2017

• After Starmer's resignation, some MPs are urging Jones - a close ally of Starmer - to stand. It is considered unlikely, but Jones is understood not to have ruled it out

Image source, PA Media

Other mentions:

• Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting had stated his intention to run for the leadership when he resigned from cabinet in May, but has since encouraged Labour MPs to back Burnham's bid for No 10
• Angela Rayner, Starmer's former deputy prime minister, could return to front-line politics after she said she was "exonerated" over claims she had "deliberately sought to avoid tax". But she has not made any move to challenge Burnham

Labour to press on with controversial defence plan after Starmer's resignationpublished at 14:14 BST

14:14 BST

Henry Zeffman
Chief political correspondent

The decision in government to press ahead with the Defence Investment Plan is notable not only because it is long-awaited, but also because it will raise questions about whether Andy Burnham or any other leadership contenders have different views about what should be in it.

After all Al Carns, who is publicly toying with standing, resigned as a defence minister earlier this month in protest at the plan.

It will be fascinating to see whether over the course of the day there are any signs from Burnham’s camp or elsewhere of resistance to the government pressing ahead with this.

Brian Wheeler
Political reporter

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Andy Burnham is set to receive briefings from civil servants on taking over as prime minister, as Keir Starmer seeks to ensure an “orderly” transition of power.

Downing Street says the outgoing prime minister has authorised access talks to begin with “prospective candidates” to be the next Labour leader.

Access talks are normally granted to opposition party leaders ahead of a general election.

The talks with Labour leadership candidates will focus on the “formation of government and key policy priorities”, the PM’s spokesman adds, and would include security briefings.

The spokesman says talks will begin “as soon as possible” and before formal nominations for any Labour leadership contest close on 16 July.

He says he did not know if Burnham had formally requested access talks – but the former Greater Manchester mayor is the only leadership candidate to have emerged so far.

Cabinet minister Darren Jones and former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns are being considered as potential candidates by some Labour MPs worried about installing Burnham in No 10 without a contest. But it is not clear whether they will gather enough support to get on the ballot paper.

One of the most pressing issues facing the next prime minister will be the government's Defence Investment Plan.

John Healey resigned as defence secretary earlier this month, claiming the draft government proposals would take UK defence spending to 2.68% of GDP by 2030, falling "well short" of the 3% target he considered necessary.

Speaking to the Times a day after Healey's resignation, Andy Burnham said alongside the 10-year approach to defence and security, there needed to be reform of public investment and procurement.

He told the newspaper that this would reduce the welfare bill by bringing recipients into the workforce, ensuring more money was available for defence.

"I am not squeamish about saying that the plan would be to reduce the welfare bill," Burnham said.

Image source, House of Commons

More from the House of Commons, where Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge says the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) should be the "top item" for Andy Burnham if he becomes prime minister.

Cartlidge says the government has "dithered and delayed" around publishing the funding proposal, which has been a flashpoint for the Starmer government.

Not knowing who will be the next prime minister creates "massive uncertainties" for the defence industry, Cartlidge says.

He adds he was "incredibly worried" by John Healey's resignation as defence secretary earlier this month - saying that warfare is changing fast, and the DIP needs to be implemented as soon as possible.

Image source, House of Commons

We've just heard from Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who says in the Commons that she is "confident" the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will be published before the upcoming Nato summit - which begins on 7 July.

She adds that the plan "will meet the scale of the challenges facing the country".

Reeves tells MPs she met on Monday with Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis and Chief of the Defence Staff Richard Knighton "to talk through" the plan.

"It will involve more money spent more effectively and will meet the scale of challenges facing our country," she says.

• Reminder: Former Defence Secretary John Healey resigned in protest earlier this month, saying that the proposed DIP "falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time".

Brian Wheeler
Political reporter

The government has announced that there will be no new “major policies” or spending decisions during the transition to a new prime minister.

Keir Starmer told a cabinet meeting this morning that he wanted an orderly transition of power and he would give his full support to his successor.

The head of the civil service has written to the heads of all departments to tell them to follow the established procedure for a change of PM.

“The prime minister has agreed that there will be no new major policy or spending commitments initiated during this period,” his official spokesman told reporters earlier.

But – crucially – this does not appear to include the much-delayed Defence Investment Plan, which ministers are insisting will be published before the Nato summit on 7 July.

Asked if the ban on new policy announcements meant the government faced paralysis, the spokesman said ministers remain in place and “the normal business of government continues”.

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

Former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns says he has not ruled out launching a leadership campaign and the decision is based on "multiple factors".

Speaking to journalists at the Foreign Press Association in London, he says: "I just need to see and buy into that vision and that policy and then we’ll see where we go from there."

Carns says Burnham would "listen" to the Parliamentary Labour Party and "he’ll take advice on policy ideas".

"And hopefully he’ll be able to drive them forward at a pace and with the boldness and courageousness that is required to keep that social cohesion and make us successful in the 2029 general election."

But he adds: "A vision without a plan is a dream and if you don’t have it, it can turn into a nightmare pretty quickly."

Who might be chancellor if Rachel Reeves follows Starmer out of Downing Street?published at 12:19 BST

12:19 BST

Mitchell Labiak
BBC Business reporter

Image source, PA Media

As Keir Starmer prepares to leave Downing Street, there is speculation that his Chancellor Rachel Reeves may follow him - if Starmer's successor opts for someone new. Here's some of the names believed to be in the running for the job.

Wes Streeting: Instead of pitching himself for the leadership role, Streeting has backed Burnham and could be awarded the number two job in British politics for his loyalty.

Ed Miliband: Somesee Miliband as an inflation risk, believing his drive for net zero as energy secretary is partly responsible for the UK's high energy prices compared to other countries. But others think he could gain the confidence of the markets with his "intellect, experience, and authority".

Pat McFadden: He's held shadow Treasury jobs, been a business minister in a Labour government and is the current work and pensions secretary. His experience in the latter could help tackle welfare reform.

Yvette Cooper: She has years of experience in government, and served as chief secretary to the Treasury under Gordon Brown.

• We've more on the list of candidates - and how Rachel Reeves might stay on in the role - in our news story