Prime Minister Andy Burnham is taking a family holiday abroad less than three weeks after entering office on July 20, prompting criticism from opposition parties and some within his own party. Justice Secretary Alex Norris defended the decision, stating that Burnham remains in constant contact with his office and is prepared to return if necessary.
"The Prime Minister is having a few days away with his family," Norris told Sky News. "He will be in constant contact with his office. These last couple of weeks I'm really proud of the work we've been doing on the cost of living, on social care, on homelessness, on defence. And that work is happening at pace and will continue to do so."
Reform UK has accused Burnham of "bunking off" so early in his premiership. Lee Anderson, Reform UK chairman, stated, "Two weeks into the job and Andy Burnham has already had enough... This isn't a PM that's serious about leading."
A Labour source also questioned the timing, noting that former Prime Minister Keir Starmer "barely went on holiday" and even during breaks would discuss work over the phone. The source suggested Burnham's holiday was "easy mode."
Downing Street confirmed that Burnham would be traveling abroad for a long-planned family trip, despite earlier statements suggesting he would not take a break. The Prime Minister's office insisted that the government continues to operate as normal, with Burnham remaining in contact with officials and receiving regular updates on government business. His de-facto deputy, Louise Haigh, the First Secretary of State and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, will be the most senior minister in Westminster during his absence.
During Burnham's absence, Norris addressed questions regarding the government's decision to allow the killers of PC Andrew Harper to remain eligible for early release from prison. He acknowledged the decision had "created harm" but stated that the alternative was prisons ceasing to function. Approximately 5,000 individuals are expected to be released early under new sentencing changes, a reduction from an initial projection of 6,000 after the Prime Minister exempted rapists and child sex offenders. PC Andrew Harper was killed in August 2019 while responding to a quad bike theft. His killers, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, convicted of manslaughter in 2020, remain eligible for early release despite an outcry from the officer's family.