As Andy Burnham strode onto the stage in the Trades Union Congress Hall on Friday, decked out in suit and tie, having eschewed his “Manchester clothes” of a navy t-shirt and jacket, the bloodless coup was complete.
Standing in front of a deep red backdrop, he delivered perfunctory praise to the man he had just ousted, hailing Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership of the Labour Party, taking it from “our worst defeat to one of the best victories in our history”.
“Keir put Labour back in a position to change people’s lives,” Burnham said, without acknowledging why he was now assuming control of the reins from Starmer, just two years on from a Labour landslide.
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Couple, talk and arguing with fight at house for disagreement, conflict and divorce discussion. Woman, explain and bored man for conversation, toxic relationship and drama and marriage fail in lounge – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
The seven rules that could save your marriage
Keep your sense of self
I did what I thought I was supposed to do and forgot my needs and wants. I think it’s really important that you’re an individual and not just a person who is married.
KATIE STRATFORD*, A 55-YEAR-OLD MUM OF TWO, WHO DIVORCED ATER 19 YEARS
Caption: A married couple sitting in silence, looking in opposite directions. The image captures the concept of female loneliness within a marriage, emotional disconnection, and relationship problems. Symbolizes quiet desperation and isolation at home
Photographer: Galina Zhigalova
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF
Seven rules to save your marriage
(Photo: Kathrin Ziegler/Getty).
The small things
Small things, like being brought a cup of tea or saying thank you, make a big difference.
Therapists
Karen Deulofeu, who ended her six-year marriage, believes all couples should seek support, even before they think they need it.
Female psychiatrist discussing with mid adult woman during therapy session – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
(Photo: MTStock Studio/Getty).
Listen
Listen properly by repeating what you have heard and ask if you’ve got that right.
Don’t lose communication
People don’t talk about the deep issues; nobody else is going to do it for you. You don’t want to ask questions because it might rock the boat…you have to keep talking, and talk about what it is that you want within the relationship to keep going forward.
KATIE STRATFORD
‘One question is how to achieve such a longevity hack when most of us have relationships that unsettle us,’ says Dr Amir Levine (Photo: Oliver Rossi/Getty)
Seven rules to save your marriage
Remember that things change
“What you see on social media and what friends say is quite often the nice version. Everything is a phase,” says Deulofeu.
‘I’m genuinely considering returning to full-time work’ (Photo: PeopleImages/ Getty Images)
Caption: A senior couple spend time in an indoor sunny market. The woman looks through a clothes on a rail as her husband waits patiently behind her.
Photographer: Catherine Falls Commercial
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF
Look at yourself first
“Focus on what’s in your control and what you can do differently, rather than the other person or a situation that you can’t control. Invest in understanding yourself,” she adds.
There are things that all mid-life men should know about keeping their hearts healthy.
From eating more purple fruit to avoiding large bowls of pasta, consultant cardiologist Dr Zoe Astroulakis [below] shares her simple lifestyle habits she wishes her patients would take on board.
Positive changes to make
Swap ‘bad’ fats for healthy ones
You don’t need to eat a fat-free diet; the key is to reduce your saturated fat. Reduce your dairy and swap your red meat for lean meat such as chicken and oily fish.
Shoppers are set to face spiralling food bills as a result of the war in Iran (Photo: Bet_Noire/Getty)
Caption: man eating fried chicken
Photographer: Prapass Pulsub
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF
Control your portions
You don’t need more carbohydrates in a meal than you can fit in your hand. Enormous plates of pasta can cause blood sugar spikes, which can lead to health problems.
Positive changes to make
Supermarkets report increasing demand for blueberries (Photo: RHS/Guy Harrop)
Look for purple
Blueberries, black grapes and aubergines are great for boosting “good” cholesterol.
Have oats
Porridge is one of the healthiest breakfast options because it’s full of soluble fibre.
Swap supermarket-bought cereals for wholemeal oats (Photo: Arx0nt/Getty)
Ketamine has become an increasingly mainstream drug used in clubs and festivals in recent years (Photo: Getty)
Stop taking cocaine
It can provoke a massive heart attack, even in younger people who don’t have existing artery problems.
Stay below the alcohol limit
‘She doesn’t really like me drinking and says that I smell after a night out with friends’ (Photo: Getty)
The NHS guidelines of 14 units per week is still more than 1,000 additional calories.
The safest level to aim for is zero.
If you’re drinking, make sure you have some alcohol-free days each week and space it out.
Interview
5 min read
Positive changes to make
Do cardio too
Don’t only focus on lifting weights. It might make you look toned, but it says nothing about the health of your heart.
Caption: Close-up view of female jogger tying laces of her sport shoes before running exercise routine. Motivation, healthy lifestyle and fitness concept.
Photographer: Xavier Lorenzo
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF
Home blood pressure monitors are now available to buy for around £20, and are preferred over smart watches due to their more accurate readings (Photo: Getty Images)
Check your levels
You can get free blood pressure checks in many pharmacies or you can buy a monitor for around £30 to use at home.
Avoid night shifts
It disrupts the body’s circadian rhythm and can lead to increased cholesterol.
Engineers from a Thames Water leak hunting team unloads equipment from their van during a night shift in London in 2022 (Photo: Getty)
A sign to look out for
A beer belly is a sign you need to make urgent changes
Caption: glasses of Real ale beer on bar in traditional English pub
Photographer: Peter Cade
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Photodisc
It’s usually a sign you’re drinking too much. By the time your belly starts to bulge, it’s a sign that you’re consuming excess calories and storing too much fat internally.
LIFESTYLE
3 min read
Want a new career but worried it’s too late?
Mid-life is not too late to start again, says experienced recruiter Elizabeth Willetts [below].
Here, Willetts shares the best jobs to switch to during midlife if you want a change – without sacrificing pay.
Changing careers in your fifties
Mid-life career pivots can lead to higher earnings.
7.4%
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, workers aged 45 to 54 who voluntarily pivot jobs see an average wage growth of 7.4 per cent.
3.5%
And those aged 55 to 64 still see a 3.5 per
cent increase.
The AARP Global Employee Survey also found that over half of workers who changed jobs voluntarily experienced improvements in work flexibility and mental health.
So what job options are there?
Virtual assistant
As a virtual assistant your workload will be very varied and it could be anything from tidying inboxes, booking travel, sending invoices or updating spreadsheets.
More and more people are using AI for counselling (Photo: Oscar Wong/Getty/Moment RF)
Confident successful Indian female HR recruitment manager holding resume in hands while having an interview in a modern office, looking and listening to job candidate. Friendly interview between HR female director and caucasian job candidate. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
You can start out earning around £20 to £35 an hour, but it can scale into agency work, launch support or even project management. Some earn very well.
Recruitment
Male candidate handshake with the recruiter at job interview – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
What it involves
You will source, screen and interview candidates to match them with the right job roles.
Who it’s for
You don’t need any qualifications but it’s suited to communicators and commercially-minded people.
Rearview female recruitment reading and checking resume in hands interviewing and hiring woman candidate for joи near laptop in office with glass windows – stock photo. (Photo: Olga Rolenko/ Getty)
From April 2027, retirement savings will be included when the tax bill for those inheriting money is calculated (Photo: Malte Mueller/Getty)
The pay
The salary van vary from £25 to £50k, but you can earn around £100k depending on commission.
Jobs to switch to in your fifties
Some estate agents give high valuations to drum up business (Photo: Monkey Business Images/Getty/iStockphoto)
Estate agent
It offers flexible hours and weekend staff can earn £15 per hour.
Training
This form of coaching for businesses could earn around £250 to £1,000 per day.
Caption: portrait of confident senior business man holding digital tablet in modern office
Photographer: zeljkosantrac
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStockphoto
(Photo: Getty).
Sales
In the lower end, a sales rep can make £30k and on the higher end £50-60k, plus commission.
Why coaching is a good option
Coaching is incredibly varied and can be anything from career coaching, to confidence and leadership coaching.
As it is an unregulated industry, you don’t need qualifications but the more reputable option is the International Coaching Federation.
It’s a great career option for older people because clients genuinely value your wealth of life experience.
It’s flexible, scalable, and you can start doing it part-time alongside another role.
It could make you anything from £200 an hour, all the way up to £500 p/h+.
Even though the NHS Pension scheme is envied by many for its generosity, those working for the NHS facing financial struggles are choosing to opt out (Photo: Getty Images)
Consulting
This can be across HR, operations, marketing, finance, people strategy or project management, as it’s varied.
A huge number of businesses now want expertise without having to hire full-time staff so there is a big job market for freelance consultants.
Price on value, not hours – if your advice saves a client £200k, charging £150 an hour undersells what you’re worth.
Do some foods leave
you feeling hungry rather than satiated? Experts say there are…
Foods that leave you hungrier
A bowl of cereal and glass of orange juice
More refined cereals are digested quickly, and fruit juice, whilst one of your five-a-day, contains less fibre than whole fruit. This might mean you find yourself hungry again within 1-2 hours of eating this breakfast.
No more orange juice. (Photo via pixaby)
It’s estimated ultra processed foods make up at least half of the average UK diet (Photo: Getty)
Swap the orange juice for a whole orange, the cereal for oats and milk or serve it with Greek yoghurt or a boiled egg. This would increase the fibre and protein content; two nutrients strongly linked with fullness.
Foods that leave you hungrier
Caption: Gail’s croissant
Image taken from https://gails.com/collections/breakfast/products/croissant
Croissants
These pastries are made primarily from refined flour and butter, and are relatively low in protein and fibre.
Toast and jam
It is mostly carbohydrate and without protein or fibre, it is digested quickly, leaving you feeling hungry.
Caption: Toasted bread and white background
Photographer: Daniel Tamas Mehes
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStockphoto
Copyright: Minden jog fenntartva!
Yakitori’s on the menu at the Japanese restaurant – but what exactly is it? (Photo: Reuters)
Sushi
Shop-bought packs can contain a lot of white rice, which is digested quickly, and the protein content is often modest.
Foods that leave you hungrier
Sarawak laksa is one of many varieties of this noodle soup (Photo: Tham Kee Chuan/Getty)
Vegetable soup
On its own, it is often very low in protein and calories, so hunger can return quickly.
Pizza
Unless it’s loaded with veggies, it’s probably pretty low in fibre.
Best pizza in Britain named – and owner reveals the secret to its success (Photo: James Linsell Clark/SWNS)
The Government has announced that the sugar tax will be extended to milkshakes (Photo: Scott Suchman)
Smoothies
Liquids are generally less filling as they require little chewing which may not trigger satiety signals.
Foods that leave you hungrier
‘Aged 14, I started what I considered to be my own little business selling confectionary,’ writes Beauty Dhlamini (Photo: Getty)
Snack bars
They are ideal for a quick pick-me-up, but if reducing hunger is what you’re after, it’d be better to swap it out.
Low-fat yoghurt
A full-fat plain Greek yoghurt with berries and seeds tends to be much more filling due to the protein, fat and fibre.
Which yoghurts are the best options? (Unsplash)
Caption: BANGKOK, THAILAND – OCTOBER 17: A “KT Herbalist”, a Kratom cocktail made from Kratom, coffee and siamese herbs is seen at Teens of Thailand, a bar in Bangkok’s Chinatown on October 17, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand. In April 2021, the start of Thailand’s third and most deadly wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Thai government banned the sale of alcohol in restaurants and bars, crippling the already suffering food and beverage industry. With a lack of government aid and support, some bars have shuttered their doors in hopes of reopening post-lockdown, while others shuttered their doors for good. But six months into Thailand’s most recent lockdown, Niks Anuman-Rajadhon, owner of Teens of Thailand, a gin bar located in a renovated shophouse in Bangkok’s Chinatown, decided that instead of waiting for the government to allow the sale of alcohol again, they would take advantage of Thailand’s recent legalization of Kratom. Kratom is a locally grown herbal drug with mild opioid and stimulant effects and was reclassified from a type-5 narcotic to a legal-to-grow herb in August 2021. While Thailand prepares for a tentative reopening on November 1st, the alcohol ban and curfew are set to continue, leaving business owners questioning if the country can revive its suffering tourism industry. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)
Photographer: Lauren DeCicca
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images AsiaPac
Alcohol
On an empty stomach, it can actually increase your appetite.
What to eat instead
Instead of thinking about avoiding foods, think about what you can add to them.
Add beans, lentils or shredded chicken to your vegetable soup and pasta.
Thicken your smoothies with Greek yoghurt, chia seeds and oats.
Apple slices with peanut butter, yogurt with berries and hummus with oat biscuits are better snack options than a pre-made snack bar.
Have alcohol alongside a balanced meal containing protein and fibre.
How to age well
without pain
Will Harlow, a physiotherapist
for the over-50s and author of Independence for Life, shares
the key signs you’re ageing
badly – and what to do about it.
How to know
Ageing well is maintaining the ability to do what you want you want for as long as you want without needing help. Everyone is talking about longevity but what’s the point in living longer if the last decade is painful and you’re [totally] reliant on people?”
The signs to look out for
Senior woman on sofa feeling and suffering from back pain. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
The most obvious early warning sign of bad ageing is pain says Harlow.
Another is losing confidence in doing daily tasks, which can quickly lead to a lack of independence.
One call Harlow often receives is people calling after having a fall and struggling to get up.
LIFESTYLE
4 min read
How to age without pain
Many will worry about not saving enough for retirement (Photo: Alex Tihonov/Getty/Moment RF)
Not just stopping
When people retire, they often put their feet up and stop. Your body really is use it or lose it.
Sleep
Throughout our entire lives, Harlow says we need between seven and nine hours of sleep.
Naps before 1pm can lead to better cognitive performance in the following hours (Photo: Lord Henri Voton/Getty Images)
Caption: Maribel Ezcurra, 77, a retired milling machine mechanic, practices tai chi with fellow seniors in a park in the Playa neighborhood of Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Photographer: Ramon Espinosa
Provider: AP
Source: AP
Social isolation
The lack of connection can increase the risk of premature death by
as much as 29 per cent.
Strength training
It really is the proxy for
overall independence.
The more muscle mass you have, the less chance of heart disease, diabetes, falls and even anxiety, depression and dementia.
Caption: This is a photo of a senior man helping his wife lift weights. See PA Feature HEALTH Physio. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA feature HEALTH Physio. PA Photo.Picture credit should read: Alamy/PA.
NOTE TO EDITORS: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature HEALTH Physio.
Photographer: Alamy
Provider: Alamy/PA
Source: PA
The brain can be linked to muscle mass too, Harlow says. It’s not just about being able to lift things. It gives you more energy, better sleep and you’ll look and feel better.
How to age without pain
Daily habits
Do short bursts of exercise, between 30 and 60 seconds, in otherwise dead time during the day.
Fit more walking into your day (Photo: andreswd/Getty/E+)
Sleep can affect your heart health (Photo: Flashpop/Getty/Digital Vision)
Stretch in bed
Take joints through a full range of motion for five minutes to loosen it before getting up.
Don’t crash diet
It can increase the decline of muscle mass and bone density, which needs to be avoided.
Calorie counting every day can be a pain (Photo: Getty)
How to age without pain
(Photo: Inga Erhan/ Gingagi/ Getty).
Protein
Harlow advises 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight to stop muscle loss alongside resistance training.
Don’t wait
Harlow finds that many patients put off making a change to their lifestyle until their lives are consumed by pain.
Menstrual pain, woman with stomachache suffering from pms at home, endometriosis, cystitis and other diseases of the urinary system – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Caption: Close-up view of female jogger tying laces of her sport shoes before running exercise routine. Motivation, healthy lifestyle and fitness concept.
Photographer: Xavier Lorenzo
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF
Recovery
For most people, it’s about reducing the number of times per week you’re exercising, not reducing intensity.
The three ageing tests to do
Lie completely flat on the floor and get back up to a standing position using any technique. This should take less than 10 seconds.
See how many times you can sit on the chair and stand back up again in 30 seconds. Men should be aiming for more than 14 times and women 12.
The single-leg stand, which involves standing on one leg and balancing for 10 seconds. Everyone should be able to do that and for those under 65, Harlow asks them to do it with their eyes closed.
Despite the job market hiring fewer entry-level roles, employers are still looking for grads…
But you should be prepared to keep an open mind.
We’ve compiled the sectors hiring graduate roles, what degree is required, and what they pay.
Plan 5 applies to students who began university courses on or after August 2023
(Photo: Abraham Gonzalez Fernandez/Getty Images/
Source: Moment RF)
The degrees to choose for a career
Hiring in the UK could
finally be on the up
47%
of employers offered entry-level
positions from July.
That is up nearly 15 per cent from the same period last year.
700,000
But graduate unemployment rose to six per cent in 2025 and 700,000 jobless graduates were claiming benefits.
Finance and insurance
Around 42 per cent of UK finance and insurance employers say they will be open to graduate roles this summer.
Business loan company Portman Finance Group has taken on 50 graduates over the past four years.
A lot of thought needs to be put into transferring a DB pension to a DC pot (Photo: Getty Images)
Portman graduates start on £36,000 for the two-year programme and the education you need to apply is a minimum “ABB” of A-levels, and a 2:1 or above university degree. But not in a specific subject.
Loose, natural fabrics are the best clothing option when the temperature rises (Photo: Kate Wieser/Getty)
Trade and logistics
What makes it particularly rewarding is that there’s always something to learn.
Nearly half (47 per cent) of trade and logistics companies will be giving graduates a go this year.
Salaries start at £30,000 with an uncapped bonus, rising to £50,000 plus a company car as a senior account partner.
Technology and IT
More than half (52 per cent) of UK tech and IT firms are actively looking for graduates.
Successful entry-level candidates can earn a basic salary of up to £35,000, with the opportunity to triple that within their first three years of working.
Caption: Young business woman searching for job online. Woman writing resume on laptop.
Photographer: Maria Korneeva
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF
LIFESTYLE
4 min read
Public sector, health
and social services
46 per cent of public sector, health and social services organisations are also ready to take graduates, according to a survey by Manpower.
A policeman walking away from an elderly person’s home. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
For example, Police Now runs a graduate programme into policing. They recruit graduates from any degree field, as long as they achieve a 2:2 or above. Starting salaries range from £31,164 to £42,210 depending on location and rising each year.
Can we treat guests without blowing our budget?
According to Waitrose, a dinner party revival is underway led by younger people trying to reduce the cost of getting together.
The i Paper food writer Sophie Morris [below] asks chefs for their best ideas for hosting at home.
Always have bread
People will feast on the
bread, and then need less fish/steak/expensive whatever. All small plates restaurants know this: this is why the first thing on the menu is always artisan bread and butter.
ELLA RISBRIDGER, AUTHOR OF THE KITCHEN BOOK – GOOD FOOD FOR EVERY DAY
Female Hands cutting bread. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Use vegetables as centrepieces
Chef and food writer Helen Graham turns vegetables into centrepieces to cut down on meat and fish expenses.
Variety Fresh of organic fruits and vegetables and healthy vegan meal ingredients in reusable eco cotton bags on beige background . Zero waste shopping concept. Healthy food, clean eating, eco friendly, no plastic. Flat lay, top view – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Beautiful woman unpacks a full fabric bag with fruits and vegetables on the kitchen. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Add pantry items
Graham’s recipes include a braised cabbage with a preserved lemon sauce, a roast cauliflower with saffron, and harrisa roast carrots with mango labneh.
How to host on a budget
Many of the dishes we take for granted in British curry joints are entirely unlike anything you might find to eat in the subcontinent (Photo: Getty/E+)
Improve the everyday
Guests will always appreciate a stellar interpretation of the ordinary. Think lasagna or curry.
Generosity
Cooking dinner for your guests is spoiling them – you’re being generous with your time, your effort, and your home. So don’t feel the need to go overboard elsewhere.
(Photo: FilippoBacci/Getty Images/E+)
Man serving friends salad at backyard dinner party – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Ask for help
Ask friends to bring a contribution, be it a nibble or a pudding.
Big platter energy
[Presentation] can be the key to elevating something . Spaghetti and tomato sauce suddenly looks like a feast when tumbled on a lovely big plate, dressed with olive oil and parmesan and placed in the middle of the table.
Food writer and editor Eleanor Steafel
Entertaining doesn’t have to be stressful (Photo: The Good Brigade/Getty/Digital Vision)
How to host on a budget
Taco party
Have one expensive filling, like shredded chicken, and two cheaper options, like refried beans, says Ella Risbridger.
Traditional ice cream parlours are still going strong (Shutterstock)
Tacos are a popular dish throughout the country (Photo: Daniela White Images/Getty)
Sundaes
Shop-bought ice cream is so easily zhuzhed up with the help of handy toppings, says Eleanor Steafel.
Caption: Lynsey Crombie @lynsey_queenofclean, home expert and TV presenter
Low-effort tricks for
a cleaner house
While many Britons feel inspired to tackle their homes during summer, the warmer months can also make cleaning harder.
But Lynsey Crombie, known as the Queen of Clean, says the hotter months can increase mould, musty smells and sweaty clothes.
Here, she shares the tips and practical
hacks she lives by.
Every 30 washes, clean the machine
A study of 1,000 UK residents by Domestic & General revealed that almost one in 10 Brits have never cleaned their washing machine, yet it could be grubbier than the toilet seat.
Overhead view of young Asian woman loading the washing machine with laundry – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Woman loading washing machine in the kitchen – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Crombie says after 30 washes, use 500 grams of soda crystals on the hottest wash to clean out the drum. If there’s sludge, run a quick rinse cycle with some white vinegar.
Always make sure to leave the door and drawer ajar for 10 minutes to dry out too and avoid stale smells.
Household ingredients to use
Prolonged exposure to forever chemicals has been linked to health problems (Photo: Olga Rolenko/Moment RF/Getty)
White vinegar
This is Crombie’s go to. It can descale the kettle and taps and deodorise places in her home.
Table salt
For tough stains like red wine, rub salt into the stain, leave overnight and wash as normal.
The drunken monkey theory could explain humans’ drinking habit (Photo: Olga Pankova/Getty)
The fridge extends a lemon’s lifespan (Photo: Paul Calinescu/500px/Getty)
Lemons
For stubborn water marks, use half a lemon and bicarbonate of soda and leave on for 30 minutes before rinsing.
For Valentine’s Day, try giving her something she’ll really love (Photo: Getty)
Cold water is better
You’re damaging [wooden] floor [with hot water], making it expand, stretch
and cause gaps…
During hot days, Crombie says to avoid cleaning with hot water altogether to avoid adding humidity to the home.
“Cold water is much better, and if you’re using the right floor cleaning product, it’s still going to be clean,” she says.
Hacks for a cleaner home
Three is the magic number
Wash your towels after two to three uses and make sure they dry properly in-between.
As it turns out, a human towel is like Alton Towers for bacteria. A lot of fun can be had. (Photo: Joxxxjo/ iStockphoto/ Getty)
Caption: TOTO Neorest WX
TOTO toilets
www.gb.toto.com
Image supplied by
Julienne Webster
Focus on hotspots
Clean the “high traffic” areas, like the toilets, kitchen worktops and the hallway daily.
Open the windows
To keep a home fresh open the windows for 15 minutes each day – even in colder months.
Keep your curtains closed (Photo: Mireya Acierto/Getty/Photodisc)
Weekly habits
Do it more frequently, to cut down how long it takes
He doesn’t always have time to do the cleaning, the ironing, or walk the dog
Photographer: Maryviolet
Provider: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Source: iStockphoto
One task Crombie does weekly is her fridge. This includes a 10-minute wipe-down, focusing on the salad and vegetable tray. “If you save that job up and do it every other month, it’s going to be a very big chore.”
LIFESTYLE
4 min read
Hacks for a cleaner home
Caption: An employee of the French pan maker Cristel, wipes a frying pan at the Cristel factory, on May 23, 2024, in Fesches-le-Chatel, eastern France. At Fesches-le-Chatel, in the Doubs region of France, the Cristel factory is on a roll: France’s number-one manufacturer of stainless steel kitchen equipment has seen “demand explode” since the National Assembly passed a law restricting the use of PFAS in April. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP) (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: SEBASTIEN BOZON
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors
Stainless steel
Crombie’s hack is one product: Barkeeper’s Friend in powder form.
The expensive products
“If you spend more money, you get the floral scents. The difference is scent, not performance.”
Deep cleaning glass door handles for Covid-19 disease prevention. alcohol,disinfectant spray on Wipes of Banister in home for safety,infection of Covid-19 virus,contamination, germs – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Cleaning day at home – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Ignore online advice
The biggest issue she sees is product overuse. “You don’t need half a bottle of washing up liquid to clean a surface.”
Crombie’s essentials
Four products can do do a full clean of the house.
Antibacterial washing-up liquid: “It can clean almost anything, and any brand works.”
M&S Fabric Refresher spray: It’s pet-friendly, eco-friendly and “ticks all the boxes.”
Cif cream cleaner: “It’s an old school product. It’s so good.”
White vinegar: ““It’s great for washing sportswear, gym kits and is a great stain remover.”
Yet, while the transfer of power at the top of the party has been peaceful, the appointment of his cabinet risks being anything but; with the selection of his chancellor – the second most powerful position in the Government – in danger of sparking a fresh round of bloodletting inside Labour.
Mahmood in pole position
After a brief suggestion Yvette Cooper might take the role, Burnham’s apparent preferred choice to lead the Treasury is Shabana Mahmood, the current Home Secretary.
His inner circle of advisers warned him against appointing Ed Miliband amid concerns that he would spook the financial markets, is too divisive, too power hungry and also happens to be a man, which matters to Labour given they have never had a female leader.
Mahmood’s appeal to Team Burnham is multifaceted. As a member of the party’s Right, she sends a signal to the wider Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) that the incoming prime minister will not be factional.
The Home Secretary has also developed a serious reputation of being one of the few Cabinet ministers capable of getting things done, both during her time in the Ministry of Justice and, most notably, in the Home Office, where she is implementing far-reaching reforms to asylum and immigration rules.
But having promised to “end the infighting” within Labour, already discontent is beginning to bubble to the surface within the PLP over Burnham’s likely choice to run the Treasury, which threatens to spoil his long-awaited second coming.
The most vocal are the 80 MPs, who recently signed a private letter demanding Burnham “pause and refresh” Mahmood’s immigration reforms and branded the changes “anathema to who we are” as a party.
One leftwing Labour MP said they harboured “concerns” about her potential appointment, adding that they questioned whether Mahmood and Burnham “would be a good fit”.
Deep misgivings over economic experience
Then there are the remaining Starmer loyalists, who view her with contempt, believing her to be the Brutus to Sir Keir Starmer’s Caesar due to her role in bringing him down, as she was one of the first Cabinet members to demand he set out a timetable for departure after May’s dismal election results.
Indeed, when Mahmood recently called on Starmer to sack her own immigration minister Mike Tapp for breaking collective responsibility in the Home Office, a government source told The i Paper: “Why would we have helped her when she was central to forcing the PM out?”
But above all else, there are deep misgivings over Mahmood’s perceived lack of economic experience, having never held any role in the Treasury.
Newly confirmed Labour Party leader Andy Burnham has a selfie taken as he leaves after a visit to Gravesend Town Pier in Kent (Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
“I have no idea what her economic philosophy is, and I don’t think she does either,” a Whitehall source said. “At least Ed has thought about it.”
“I imagine she will get immediately captured by the Treasury, will be a nightmare to deal with and they will fall out and then she’ll be moved to foreign secretary,” the source predicted.
“I wouldn’t want to piss Ed off either,” they added.
A senior Labour Party figure went further, saying: “It doesn’t make any sense. She isn’t a popular figure within the PLP but people understood what she was trying to do at the Home Office but the Treasury is a totally different prospect.”
‘Willing to take the unpopular decisions’
But a separate Labour source defended her, insisting she was suitable for the role, highlighting the fact that she is “willing to take the unpopular decisions”, and pointed to her more “progressive” policies around establishing “safe and legal routes” into the UK for refugees.
She has been described as a “fiscal hawk” and has spoken up of the need for reindustrialisation, something close to Burnham’s heart, while she believes in the need for putting “British workers first”.
Mahmood told allies on Wednesday as The i Paper led the news coverage suggesting she was about to be made Burnham’s chancellor, that she had not yet been offered the role and still hoped to remain as Home Secretary. Team Burnham has also insisted that no final decisions have yet been made.
The spectre of the “TeeBee-GeeBees” (Tony Blair and Gordon Brown’s relationship) still haunts the Labour Party and there were fears in Burnham’s camp that Miliband would use the Treasury to erect an alternative power base.
A senior Labour insider said that the Energy Secretary had demonstrated during his time in Starmer’s cabinet that he was “loyal to nobody but himself”. Despite being one of Starmer’s most trusted confidants, he is thought to have been among the first serving Cabinet ministers to back the Burnham project.
Andy Burnham hugs Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood after he is confirmed as the Labour Party’s new leader and the country’s next prime minister on Friday (Photo: Henry NICHOLLS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
He has also been accused of actively frustrating efforts by the Treasury to approve drilling licences in the North Sea – including the controversial Jackdaw gas field, which is now expected to be given the go ahead at the end of the consultation period this summer.
The Rosebank oil field is also expected to be given the green light by the incoming Burnham administration. According to insiders, there were “furious rows” over his efforts to block these projects.
As The i Paper exclusively revealed almost a month ago, Miliband signalled his intention to soften his position on North Sea drilling in a bid to become Burnham’s chancellor. However, his efforts fell short and he is said to be furious that he is no longer in contention for the coveted role.
New chancellor will have to hit the ground running
Mahmood has in the past acknowledged her own leadership ambitions, telling The Times last year: “You should not believe anyone in politics who says they are not ambitious about the top job, because they are basically lying to you.”
Whoever takes on the chancellor role will have to hit the ground running. Burnham is expected to make a series of impactful announcements in the first few days of his premiership – including on the cost of living.
It has also been reported that he will give his backing to bringing Thames Water under public ownership. Internal discussions are underway about whether that will require Burnham to recall Parliament in early August to avoid clashing with the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, as Parliamentary protocol demands that announcements be made first in the House of Commons.
This is unlikely to make Burnham popular with MPs if they are required to return to London in peak holiday season.
“If he does go ahead with it, it’s likely to go down very badly,” one MP said. “A lot of MPs do surgery tours during that period, and if they are about to be made ministers it’s the only time they get to make an impression with their constituents.”
There is also a steadily worsening economic outlook for the country. Civil servants are understood to have warned the incoming prime minister that the country faces rising borrowing costs, the prospect of interest rate hikes and a jump in inflation due to Donald Trump’s renewal of hostilities with Iran.
It has prompted the International Monetary Fund to deliver a stark warning that Burnham cannot afford to boost public spending, insisting that any energy support package must come from cuts elsewhere.
In his acceptance speech on Friday, Burnham declared to the watching world: “I have a plan.” It’s time he started telling the public what it is.