UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced on 20–21 September that specialist courts for rape and sexual offences will be introduced across England and Wales, with funding to allow victims to testify via video from separate rooms.
The UK House of Commons rejected a bill to legalise assisted dying for England and Wales on September 11, 2026, with 286 voting against and 270 in favour. The legislation would have made assisted suicide legal in those nations.
On 11 September 2026, British lawmakers voted down the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, rejecting legislation to allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to choose to end their lives. The narrow defeat prompted campaigners to call it a tragic day, citing safety and workability concerns raised by opponents.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham appeared before the House of Commons on September 1, 2026, for the first time since taking office six weeks earlier on July 20, 2026. Burnham, who replaced predecessor Keir Starmer, faces questions as wars in Europe and the Middle East complicate his agenda to restore national optimism.
On 31 August–1 September 2026, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivered his first statement to Parliament, pledging to return essential services to public ownership and vowing to restore public hope after months of summer policy announcements and improved polling.
Labour Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced on August 28, 2026, that he will abstain when Parliament votes on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill to avoid influencing the debate, and warned his ministers against attempting to sway their colleagues.
Andy Burnham announced new enforcement rules on 27 August 2026 targeting rogue bailiffs and unscrupulous home contractors in England and Wales. The crackdown aims to protect people in debt from exploitation and stop homeowners being defrauded by unqualified builders.