'Burnham's new era' and 'Viva España!'

EPA New British Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivers a speech outside 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, 20 July 2026.EPA

Almost all of the early editions of the papers lead on Andy Burnham's official start in No 10.

The Times has an interview with the incoming prime minister, in which he reveals that his father, who has Alzheimer's, isn't aware that he is about to lead the country. Burnham also tells the paper that voters are frustrated about the freezing of the personal tax allowance - at £12,570 - and says that the issue is "lodged in my mind".

The Financial Times says his transition team is planning to give No 10 "closer oversight of tax and spending" so that he's "less reliant" on the Treasury - which the paper expects Shabana Mahmood to lead as chancellor. According to the Guardian, many cabinet ministers were "still in the dark" on Sunday about whether they would be offered roles in Burnham's top team.

"Turmoil," declares the Sun, which says praise by Donald Trump about the possibility of "opening up" North Sea oil has piled pressure on the incoming prime minister.

The Daily Mail highlights polling which it says shows many people outside Burnham's "Manchester stronghold" question his right to be PM.

The Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch writes in the Daily Express that Burnham is becoming prime minister "without having set out a clear plan for government", and accuses him of avoiding "proper media scrutiny".

Away from politics, the Daily Telegraph headlines its World Cup coverage with the phrase "Viva Espana," picturing Trump joining the victorious Spanish team as they lifted the trophy. The Times notes that the US president was booed as he stepped forward for the ceremony. Many of the papers are more interested in the half-time show - and the reviews weren't positive. The Mail says the display, featuring Shakira, BTS and Justin Bieber, was "spectacularly tacky". The Times highlights the words of Wayne Rooney, speaking on the BBC: "I like a lot of those artists but I thought it was crap".

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