We welcome Andy Burnham as the new Prime Minister
Monday 20 July 2026
The Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP has formally been appointed Prime Minister, following the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer.
A Cabinet reshuffle will follow shortly, which may include the appointment of a new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and ministers within the department.
Genevieve Edwards, Chief Executive of Bowel Cancer UK, said: “I congratulate Andy Burnham on becoming the first former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to be appointed Prime Minister.
“As someone with previous experience of leading our health service, the Prime Minister understands the vital role earlier diagnosis plays in saving lives and improving the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Government to deliver the ambitions set out in the National Cancer Plan for England, including improving earlier diagnosis and reducing inequalities in bowel cancer outcomes.
“Reducing emergency diagnosis is a real opportunity to save lives, improve quality of care and reduce pressure on A&E services. Around one in four bowel cancer patients are diagnosed in an emergency, when sudden complications mean they end up in A&E and need urgent treatment.
“We stand ready to work with the Prime Minister and Ministers across Government to save lives, tackle inequalities and transform bowel cancer outcomes.”
- Read our policy reports and consultations
- Find out about the latest issues we’re campaigning on
- Sign up to our e-newsletter to get the latest news and updates
