Burnham says Brexit brought ‘decade of low growth’ in first Commons address as prime minister – as it happened

Andy Burnham has declared his government can make “this next decade better than the last” in a confident and relatively non-partisan address to MPs. Speaking in parliament for the first time since becoming PM more than six weeks ago, Burnham gave a wide-ranging opening statement and then took questions from more than three hours. Burnham said:

double quotation mark When I stood outside Downing Street six weeks ago, I said Britain needs a circuit breaker after a decade of turbulence, negativity, point scoring and divisive politics.

A clear, coherent, and credible approach to growth that can unlock a feeling of positivity and possibility in every postcode in Britain.

Our job in here is to make it real by taking a place first rather than party first approach.

It starts with reasserting basic standards for Britain, that this is a country where no one sleeps rough and no community is blighted by an illegal waste tip.

And from there, working together to build a new sense of optimism around the country.

We can make this next decade better than the last.

We can lift the prospects of all our people and places.

Burnham repeatedly made a point of stressing his desire to collaborate with opposition parties, as part of his commitment to doing politics in a new way. He was relaxed and good-humoured and, although he faced criticism from some opposition MPs, he was generally given a fair hearing. He did not have any surprise new announcements, and much of what he said repeated arguments had made over the summer. On many issues he indicated that final decisions have yet to be taken. With the statement still running after three hours and 20 minutes, Burnham is still on his feet.

Keir Starmer is to quit as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras, saying it is the right time for him to leave the Commons.

John Swinney insisted he still planned to introduce a legally binding price cap on bread, milk and other essential food items in Scotland despite fierce opposition from farming and business groups.