BUSINESS NEWS


Andy Burnham is widely expected to succeed Sir Keir Starmer as PM by September at the latest


Hopes rise for transition in consumer confidence


ANALYSIS: Two events this week – the PM’s resignation and the maintenance of ‘peace’ in the Gulf – could give summer’s travel market a boost, says Ian Taylor


We appear to be moving towards the resolution of two key areas of uncertainty which to varying degrees have impacted consumer and business confidence and made for a more difficult travel market. Prime minister Keir Starmer’s


confirmation he will stand down on Monday should enable a smooth transition to his probable successor Andy Burnham, who returned to Parliament as MP for Makerfield the same day. The alternative appeared to


be a damaging series of cabinet resignations. That has been avoided.


48 26 JUNE 2026 Former health secretary Wes


Streeting’s announcement that he backs Burnham cleared the latter’s way to Number 10, meaning he could be PM by July 17, although he may seek more time from Starmer. In the unlikely event there is a challenger, Burnham should be PM by September 1. So, the prospects of further


political uncertainty at the head of government have been removed. But there remains plenty uncertain and Burnham faces all the problems that confronted Starmer. Attention now turns to who he


selects as chancellor to replace Rachel travelweekly.co.uk


Reeves and what that means for Whitehall’s tax and spending plans and how the bond markets react – meaning the impact on government borrowing. Burnham will be keen not to alarm


bond traders. They may be keen to demonstrate their ability to alarm him. The new PM does not have much


time. The Truss government will have had longer to prepare if Burnham is in Number 10 by mid-July, and we know how that turned out. Burnham is already being urged


Continued on page 46


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PICTURES: Shutterstock/Fred Duval; House of Commons


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