LEADERSHIP UNCERTAINTY COSTS GOVERNMENT MONEY, FORMER CIVIL SERVANT WARNS

Leadership uncertainty presents a "big challenge" for the government and drives up borrowing costs, according to Simon Case, who served as the UK's highest-ranking civil servant from 2020 to 2024. Case told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme that political upheaval is "enormously disruptive" and that markets are already responding to the possibility of a leadership challenge. His comments follow Andy Burnham's victory in Thursday's Makerfield by-election, which has prompted calls for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to set out a plan for his departure. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper are understood to have urged Sir Keir to establish a timetable to leave office.

Sir Keir has stated he will not "walk away" from the job and will fight any challenge, and spent Friday contacting cabinet ministers to assess his support among his top team. Downing Street said on Saturday that the prime minister is "focused on getting on with the job". Burnham's allies and those of potential challenger Wes Streeting have urged Sir Keir to reflect over the weekend and listen to his cabinet ministers, MPs and family. Both teams declined to give interviews during the weekend, apparently to allow Sir Keir time to reconsider his position.

Case, who served under four prime ministers before stepping down on health grounds in December 2024, said the cabinet secretary role involves advising the prime minister, implementing government policy and managing other senior officials. He stated that borrowing costs are rising with "every moment of uncertainty" surrounding the leadership. Case added that whilst politicians debate the leadership internally, time is lost addressing issues affecting people across the country.