The best day of Andy Burnham's life, Chris Philp goes gonzo in the Channel, and more climate change denial in a burning country.

Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn round up some stories you might have missed this week.

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Andy Burnham’s policy and comms blitz powers on - he is setting out his intentions early, and with a very different style than his predecessor.

Meanwhile, on his second week, his government is fully appointed, but the fallout is still rumbling away in the background.

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Tom McTague to discuss.

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This New Statesman podcast episode has been fully funded by argenx and features an edited panel discussion recorded at the New Statesman’s Igniting Growth Conference.

The UK has world-leading science, research and regulatory expertise, but too often struggles to turn those strengths into investment, innovation and better patient access.

Can it turn its life sciences strengths into global leadership?

Chaired by New Statesman policy correspondent Samir Jeraj, the panel brings together Dame Chi Onwurah MP, Naomi Weir from the CBI, David Knechtel from argenx UK and Ireland, and Clare Pelham from the Epilepsy Society.

Our panel discusses why the UK’s scientific and regulatory strengths are not consistently translating into growth and patient access, as well as the commercial pressures affecting confidence in the sector.

They talk about the need for more joined-up delivery across government, the NHS and industry, how innovation can reach patients, and what must change for the Life Sciences Sector Plan to deliver.

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Anoosh and Will are back for their weekly politics round up, this week includes: the tired spectacle of a new prime minister, Wes Streeting's hot mic moment, Gary Lineker's plea for higher taxes, and the ongoing saga of Stella Creasy's parakeet misidentification.

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It’s day 4 of Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s premiership.

His cabinet is now appointed - With some notable appointments to the top jobs, plenty of reshuffling, and some loyal Starmer-ites out.

The PM has also begun to announce his measures to tackle the cost of living, from bus fares to energy bills, and a big clear target from the off: end rough sleeping.

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Tom McTague to discuss.

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Today, Keir Starmer made his way from No 10 to Buckingham Palace to officially resign as Prime Minister.

He was closely followed by his replacement, Andy Burnham, who is currently in his first few hours in the job.

Anoosh Chakelian is in Westminster with Ailbhe Rea to discuss.

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Keir Starmer has bowed out of his role as Prime Minister. At his final PMQs, an unusually convivial tone was struck.

As Starmer's political career draws to a close, Will Dunn and Tom McTague discuss his tenure, his final week, and ponder his unpopularity.

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As Keir Starmer's premiership draws to a close, Andy Burnham is putting the finishing touches on his plan for power.

Ailbhe Rea joins Tom McTague in the studio to discuss:

• Anne Widdecomb's role in British Politics
• Keir Starmer's final days as Prime Minister
• The people likely to be appointed in an Andy Burnham cabinet
• Why appointing Shabana Mahmood as Chancellor would go against Andy Burnham's own principles
• Why the briefing against Ed Miliband shows Burnham's plan to improve Number 10 culture will be an uphill battle

📚 READ

Exclusive: Andy Burnham appoints Number 10 policy chief

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/07/exclusive-andy-burnham-appoints-number-10-policy-chief

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Cyberattacks on the UK’s critical national infrastructure are becoming faster and more sophisticated.

What will it take to protect the systems and services that keep the country running?

Host Zoë Grünewald is joined by Matt Western MP, Chair of the Joint Committee on National Security Strategy, and Chris Parker, Director of Government Strategy at Fortinet UK.

Our panel discusses how ransomware, hostile state actors and AI-enabled attacks are changing the threat landscape facing the UK’s critical national infrastructure, as well as where regulation and governance may need to go further.

They talk about the risks posed by legacy systems and cyber skills shortages, what effective resilience looks like in practice, and why closer cooperation between government and industry matters.

This New Statesman podcast episode is sponsored by Fortinet.

LINKS

Fortinet 2026 Global Threat Landscape Report

Fortinet 2026 Cybersecurity Skills Gap Global Research Report

Fortinet 2026 OT Report

Government Cyber Action Plan

UK Cyber Growth Action Plan

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Nigel Farage, pollings' current front runner to win the next general election, has resigned as an MP.

However, he plans to stand as a candidate in the by-election this move will trigger. Labour, the Lib Dems and the Tories have labelled this a “stunt” and won’t stand in the contest.

Meanwhile, Andy Burnham is continuing to prepare for power…

Tom McTague is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Ethan Croft to discuss.

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Nigel Farage loses his cool as he’s grilled on his £5 million “gift”, the “anti-woke” Davos and the elephant seal that’s terrorising Tasmania. 

Will and Anoosh round up the stories of the week.

READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2026/07/is-nigel-farage-losing-momentum

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