Keir Starmer is is facing his first Prime Minister's Questions since he announced his resignation as Labour leader - watch live at the top of the page
Andy Burnham remains the front-runner to succeed Starmer, with the two meeting for talks on Tuesday to ensure an "orderly transition of power"
Earlier today, the prime minister's chief secretary, Darren Jones, said he won't challenge Burnham for the Labour Party leadership
If he doesn't face a challenger, Burnham could become prime minister as early as 16 or 17 July - here's a timeline of how we got here
Chris Mason
Political editor
A huge cheer for the Prime Minister as he arrives in the chamber, with the chancellor Rachel Reeves alongside him.
There is no sign of Andy Burnham in the chamber for PMQs.
Keir Starmer is now on his feet at the dispatch box and PMQs has begun.
You can follow along by clicking watch live at the top of this page - and we'll bring you the key lines here.
It's approaching midday, which is when Keir Starmer will face questions from MPs for the first time since announcing his resignation as prime minister.
We'll bring you all the key lines here, and you can watch live at the top of the page.
Brian Wheeler
Reporting from the House of Commons
This is set to be a pretty weird PMQs - one of the last for Keir Starmer, before he stands down.
There is much speculation about whether Andy Burnham will show up. There is no sign of him so far.
'Was the political heat too hot?': Starmer heads to first PMQs since resignation
Keir Starmer has just left No 10 and is on his way to the House of Commons.
He's due to face MPs there at midday, for his first Prime Minister's Questions since he announced he would step down as leader of the country on Monday.
Image source, PAWhile we wait to hear from Starmer at PMQs this afternoon, here's a reminder of how each political leader has reacted to his resignation.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she felt sympathy for Starmer on a human level, but he "wasn't doing the job properly" as prime minister. Speaking on Monday, she said: "There are critical decisions that need to be made and the prime minister is setting out his farewell tour while Andy Burnham wants a summer holiday."
Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, said the public was sick of the "merry-go round" of prime ministers, but he told BBC Breakfast yesterday that he did not support calls for a general election.
Meanwhile, Reform UK's Nigel Farage has been vocal in calling for an election, saying the public are "sick of the game of musical chairs" taking place inside No 10.
Green party leader Zack Polanski told the BBC on Monday that the "jury is out" on Burnham, but his focus now is on winning the upcoming Greater Manchester mayoral election.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney said Starmer made the "right decision" in resigning and wished the prime minister and his family well, while his Welsh counterpart Rhun ap Iorwerth told BBC Wales that he wanted a "new relationship" with Westminster.
Image source, EPA/ShutterstockKeir Starmer might have announced his resignation, but his schedule is rumbling on as normal for now.
At midday, he faces his weekly bout of Prime Minister's Questions - his first since announcing his plan to step down.
Later, the prime minister is travelling to Berlin for a meeting with his French, German, Italian and Polish counterparts.
The group are discussing preparations for next month's Nato summit, and we're expecting to hear from them later this afternoon.
We'll bring you all the key developments on this right here.
Image source, PA MediaSteve Yemm argues too much is spent on climate mitigation, such as emissions reduction
Andy Burnham is yet to be chosen as the next prime minister but Labour MPs are already trying to influence his policy agenda.
Steve Yemm, the Labour MP for Mansfield, is calling for a shift on climate policy, telling Radio 4's Today programme that the UK spends too much on climate mitigation - such as reducing emissions - which he says will have "little impact" in the short term.
He tells Amol Rajan there is no doubt the UK is experiencing higher temperatures, flooding and heatwaves, but says because those things "are already with us", he would like to see more spent on "resilience and adaptation".
Yemm says if the UK cut its emissions to zero overnight, the effect would be "minor" in terms of global warming, and says some of the money spent on reducing emissions should be set aside for the cost of living, NHS, and defence.
You can read more here about why the record-breaking temperatures we're seeing in the UK show how our climate is changing here:
A lack of growth is "the big problem" Andy Burnham would face if he becomes prime minister of the UK, says former director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) Paul Johnson.
The UK has grown "very slowly" over the last twenty years, but is grappling with an interest rate on its national debt that's "higher than almost any other developed country", he tells the Today programme.
Tackling this would require "not just increasing taxes, but reforming taxes, reforming welfare", as well as "radically reforming regulatory and planning regimes", he says.
If he were to assume office, Johnson thinks Burnham's first action should be to "get on top of the welfare budget".
"It became a big problem for Rachel [Reeves]", he says. Burnham would "be at his strongest moment to get on top of the welfare budget as soon as he enters".
Kieran Kelly
Live reporter
Image source, EPA/ShutterstockKeir Starmer announces his resignation on the steps of Downing Street
It has been a frantic few days in politics.
This time last week, Andy Burnham wasn't even an MP - and now the former Greater Manchester mayor is widely expected to become the next prime minister. Here's a reminder of how we got here:
19 June - Burnham emphatically wins the Makerfield by-election, taking more votes than all his rivals combined. He describes his victory as a "turning point", while Starmer insists he will fight any leadership challenge.
20 June - The prime minister is in Chequers, his country retreat, contemplating his political fate with his wife Victoria. It follows conversations with cabinet ministers, who urged him to step aside.
21 June - Signs start to appear that Starmer is about to resign - Business Secretary Peter Kyle tells the BBC that Starmer is reflecting on "political realities".
22 June - Starmer announces his resignation shortly after 9:30 BST, confirming that a new leader will be in place by 1 September at the latest - it is likely to be sooner.
Shortly after, Burnham boards a train from Manchester to London, where he is sworn in as the new MP for Makerfield. By this point, he has confirmed he will run to replace Starmer.
23 June - Starmer and Burnham hold secret talks as No 10 confirms the prime minister wants an "orderly transition".
24 June - The path to No 10 appears to clear for Burnham with Darren Jones, a senior cabinet minister, throwing his weight behind the former Greater Manchester mayor.
Image source, Andy BurnhamAndy Burnham is greeted by the majority of Labour MPs after being sworn in as the new MP for Makerfield
Image source, PA MediaWith it now expected that Andy Burnham will want a new chancellor to replace Rachel Reeves if he becomes prime minister, one of her former political directors has defended her decision-making.
"It's not clear at the moment" what the rational for removing Reeves would be, says Matt Pound, who worked for the chancellor until March.
But he tells the Today programme: "We also have to accept that her commitment to fiscal responsibility has also caused consternation in the Parliamentary Labour Party, who do not feel that she has taken some decisions that have been helpful to them in getting re-elected."
"Tough choices" are part of fiscal responsibility, Pound says. "Somewhat unfairly, Rachel has borne the brunt on that."
Image source, PA/ReutersKeir Starmer met Andy Burnham for talks on Tuesday, as he seeks to ensure an "orderly" transition of power after announcing he is standing down as prime minister.
It is the first time the pair have met since Burnham won last week's Makerfield by-election. The hour-long meeting came as Starmer authorised access talks with civil servants for prospective Labour leadership candidates to prepare them for government.
Burnham is the only candidate to have emerged so far and if he does not face a challenger he could become prime minister as early as 16 or 17 July.
Access talks are normally granted to opposition party leaders ahead of a general election.
The PM's spokesman said the access talks will begin "as soon as possible" and before formal nominations for any Labour leadership contest close on 16 July.
The talks will focus on the "formation of government and key policy priorities", the PM's spokesman added, and would include security briefings.
Image source, Reuters / House of CommonsStarmer faces Prime Minister's Questions at 12:00, for the first time since announcing his resignation
When Keir Starmer faces MPs today, he might be quizzed over the long-awaited publication of the defence investment plan.
Despite his resignation as prime minister, the plan will be published ahead of next month's Nato summit.
That's despite the proposals triggering the resignations of two ministers earlier this month - Defence Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns (who could still enter the contest to replace Starmer - see our previous post).
The decision to press ahead with the defence plans could cause tension with Starmer's successor.
Andy Burnham and his team have been discussing that with Healey - who warned when he resigned that the PM's plan "well short of what is required".
Speaking on Tuesday in the House of Commons, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the plan would be published before the Nato summit n 7 July, and said it would "involve more money, spent more effectively and meet the scale of the challenges we face".
The prime minister's chief secretary Darren Jones might have ruled himself out of the Labour leadership contest - but former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns could still challenge Andy Burnham.
Speaking to BBC Newsnight on Tuesday, Carns insisted he is "pretty serious" in considering a leadership bid, but wants to "see behind Andy Burnham what the policies are" before making a final call.
As a reminder, leadership nominations open on 9 July and run until 16 July. Potential candidates have until then to amass the support of at least 81 Labour MPs to enter the race.
Asked whether he will back Burnham if he agrees with his policies, Carns tells BBC Newsnight: "I think that's a collective view across the Labour Party as a whole."
He explains the party wants to "get behind" Andy but says "we need to see that material before I can make a decision to back anyone".
Henry Zeffman
Chief political correspondent
Image source, PA MediaAndy Burnham with Labour MPs on Monday
It was already highly likely that Andy Burnham would become the next prime minister and Labour leader.
Arguably Darren Jones’s announcement does not really change that - though he claimed in his interview with Sky News that he might have been able to reach the 81 MPs required for a full leadership election with party members over the summer.
But at the very least it removes a slight complication from Burnham’s path, allowing him to focus more on his plans for government, even if the former defence minister Al Carns is still publicly toying with his own challenge (we'll have more from Carns in our next post).
What’s striking is how candid Jones was that his big concern about Burnham was his plans for the economy.
He said that Burnham had reassured him. The former Manchester mayor is giving a speech on the economy next week which will in part represent his attempt to reassure other MPs.
In addition, this is why the question of who would be his chancellor is so central to the debate in Westminster.
Mitchell Labiak
BBC Business reporter
Image source, PA MediaWes Streeting: Instead of pitching himself for the leadership role, Streeting has backed Burnham - and could be awarded the number two job in British politics.
Ed Miliband: Somesee Miliband as an inflation risk, believing his drive for net zero as energy secretary is partly responsible for the UK's high energy prices compared to other countries. But others think he could gain the confidence of the markets with his "intellect, experience, and authority".
Pat McFadden: He's held shadow Treasury jobs, been a business minister in a Labour government and is the current work and pensions secretary. His experience in the latter could help tackle welfare reform.
Yvette Cooper: She has years of experience in government, and served as chief secretary to the Treasury under Gordon Brown.
Harry Farley
Political correspondent
Image source, ReutersThe BBC understands that if Andy Burnham becomes prime minister, he is expected to replace Rachel Reeves as chancellor and offer her a more junior cabinet position.
Most Labour MPs assume Reeves will not continue in that role but, as first reported by the Financial Times,, external she is expected to be offered a more junior cabinet position.
A close ally of Burnham told the BBC: "Andy really respects Rachel and I'm confident he'll want her in his top team."
A spokesperson for Burnham said no decisions had been made.
Meanwhile, James Purnell - who served as a minister in Gordon Brown's government between 2007 and 2009 - is expected to be appointed Burnham's Downing Street chief of staff.
As well as working under Labour governments, Purnell has worked at the BBC in various roles including head of corporate planning and, more recently, director of radio and education. He left the corporation in 2020.
Henry Zeffman
Chief political correspondent
Image source, ReutersSenior cabinet minister Darren Jones has endorsed Andy Burnham for the Labour leadership.
Despite speculation that he would run himself, the chief secretary to the prime minister said that "Andy Burnham is going to be the next prime minister".
Jones, a former deputy to Rachel Reeves at the Treasury, said he had had a "reassuring conversation" with Burnham about economic policy.
He suggested that a full leadership election would be a bad idea but said there were "definitely upwards of 100 MPs who have expressed concern either around a contest or economic policy or who were just feeling pretty depressed off the back of Keir Starmer resigning".
Jones's comments came in an interview with Sky News.
Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter
Image source, ReutersAs Keir Starmer prepares to front the Prime Minister's Questions dispatch box today, it's looking increasingly likely Andy Burnham will be the man to replace him.
Burnham could become prime minister by 16 or 17 July - which is now looking increasingly likely, as already-lukewarm bids from leadership rivals have cooled.
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones was said to be considering a leadership bid. He now tells Sky News: "Andy Burnham is going to be the next prime minister."
"So the question for me," Jones asks, "is, well, what would the benefit be to the country and to the party of a leadership contest?"
Meanwhile former Defence Minister Al Carns told BBC Newsnight on Tuesday that he is considering a contest, and will need to see Burnham's policies "before I can make a decision to back him".
As Starmer prepares to take his final Commons bow, Rachel Reeves's time as chancellor may be limited - the BBC understands Burnham is likely to swap her into a more junior cabinet position if he becomes PM.
As we build up to PMQs at noon, we'll catch you up with a frantic week in politics, and look ahead to how the race to be the UK's next prime minister is playing out.
