Andy Burnham made his debut at Prime Minister's Questions as UK Prime Minister, facing Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch over tax, spending, and borrowing. Despite promises of a new consensual style, the session reverted to adversarial exchanges. Burnham faces economic challenges including rising borrowing costs ahead of his first budget, with pressure on defence, welfare, and social care spending.

UK newspapers preview Andy Burnham's first Prime Minister's Questions, focusing on his efforts to calm bond markets ahead of his first budget. Reports warn of potential tax rises, defence spending concerns, Conservative welfare cut pledges, and criticism of a new civil service reform quango. Also covered are French police reinforcements for small boat crossings and Green Party candidate selection in Sir Keir Starmer's former seat.

Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, opened its annual conference in Birmingham on Thursday, aiming to project governing credibility by unveiling 'key pledges' for the first 100 days of a Farage premiership. The event is overshadowed by ongoing scrutiny over a £5 million donation from Christopher Harborne, a Metropolitan Police investigation into donations, and internal infighting, including competition from the right-wing splinter group Restore Britain. Farage's personal favorability has declined, and the party faces a more competitive political landscape with Labour under new leader Andy Burnham and a more prominent Conservative opposition under Kemi Badenoch. The conference features speeches from top lieutenants and a set-piece appearance by French far-right leader Jordan Bardella.

The number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats from France to the UK fell to its lowest summer level since 2019, with 7,371 crossings between June and August. The UK government credits a new three-year enforcement deal with France, signed in April, which includes up to €766 million in British funding for French law enforcement. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the figures show the government is 'restoring control' over borders. Asylum applications also fell by 21% year-on-year, and the backlog of initial decisions dropped by 56%. The issue remains politically contentious, with recent incidents of overcrowded boats and ongoing protests over asylum housing.

Uber has launched the UK's first robotaxi service in London, using a fleet of 15 autonomous Ford Mustang electric vehicles equipped with Wayve's AI technology. Each vehicle has a human safety driver. The service is being phased in, with fares matching standard UberX. The launch comes amid regulatory caution from the Department for Transport and Transport for London, with fully driverless services not expected until at least 2027. Competitors Waymo and Baidu are also planning UK services.

The UK government has publicly named 658 employers for failing to pay the minimum wage, including major retailers and fast-food chains like B&Q and Five Guys. Over £4 million was returned to workers, and penalties totaling £7 million were issued. The list includes a range of sectors from retail to healthcare, with some employers citing technical payroll errors. This is the first naming round under the new Fair Work Agency, signaling stricter enforcement of wage laws.

Omar Barghouti, co-founder of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, has called on the UK to end all trade, arms exports, and academic relations with Israel, arguing that partial sanctions are a 'smoke and mirrors cop-out' and that the UK has a legal obligation to prevent genocide under international law. His remarks come as UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced a 'comprehensive reset' of UK policy on Israel, reportedly including a ban on trade with illegal settlements. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar warned of retaliation if Britain acts against the state. The dispute highlights escalating tensions over UK policy toward Israel and the occupied territories.

Matt Clifford, the architect of the UK government's AI strategy and former AI opportunities adviser to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has joined US AI startup Anthropic as managing director for international affairs. He will lead engagement with governments outside the US, including in the UK, Europe, Asia-Pacific and India. Clifford will remain chair of the UK's Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria) and his venture capital firm Entrepreneurs First. The move has sparked concerns about the 'revolving door' between government and industry, with critics noting the advantage gained by companies hiring former officials with sensitive policy knowledge. Clifford said the most important AI decisions will be made by companies and governments together, and his role is to make Anthropic a genuine partner globally.