Burnham pledges more devolution and public control of essential services in first Commons speech as PM

Andy Burnham has addressed the House of Commons for the first time as prime minister, promising greater devolution and stronger public control of essential services across England.

• Burnham addressed the House of Commons for the first time since taking office on 20 July, promising "stronger public control" of essential services and a plan for water and energy later this year.
• He announced a devolution deal with Cornwall Council "with or without" an elected mayor, extending the same offer to all parts of England without devolved power.
• Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Burnham of offering "more government control, more taxes and more politicians," saying his diagnosis and theory of growth were "completely wrong."
• Sir Keir Starmer announced hours before the speech that he was stepping down as an MP, less than two months after quitting as prime minister.