London, July 20 (Reuters) — Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, was confirmed as Labour Party leader and Britain’s next prime minister on Monday. He said his government would rewrite the country to address the cost‑of‑living crisis and improve public services.

Burnham, 56, succeeds Keir Starmer, who resigned after a farewell speech outside 10 Downing Street and a formal resignation to King Charles. Burnham will meet the monarch before taking office.

His first priority is to appoint a cabinet, particularly a finance minister, a role that has been central to previous Labour governments. Early speculation points to energy and net‑zero minister Ed Miliband and interior minister Shabana Mahmood, though Burnham has not finalised the team.

On Sunday, the government announced the cancellation of a plan for all workers to carry a digital identity document, a measure previously criticised as a fiasco. Burnham also indicated that a debt‑laden utility such as Thames Water could be placed under special measures, giving the state greater control.

He outlined a broader agenda to refocus public spending on affordable housing, transport and energy, and to strengthen regulation of utilities. Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell said the prime minister would reprioritise resources toward tackling living costs and restructuring the economy.

Burnham will present his initial policy package next week, though details remain to be determined. The Labour Party faces internal debate over the direction of its reforms, and the new administration must confront slow economic growth and underperforming infrastructure.