PRIME MINISTER ANDY BURNHAM'S FATHER ROY DIES

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has cancelled his official engagements for Monday and Tuesday after the death of his father, Roy Burnham, Downing Street has confirmed. Roy Burnham died after living with Alzheimer's disease in a care home. Andy Burnham had been due to address the TUC conference in Brighton on Tuesday. He was also scheduled to host business leaders at Downing Street on Monday afternoon before clearing his diary. Both engagements have been cancelled following his father's death.

Roy Burnham worked as a telephone engineer before his condition required him to move into residential care. In an interview shortly before becoming prime minister, Andy Burnham said his father's Alzheimer's meant he was unaware of his son's appointment. Burnham said it was a sadness that his father was unaware, because he would have been proud, and described his becoming prime minister as a whole family achievement. He has spoken previously about how his father's experience of care shaped his own views on the social care system.

Burnham has pledged to prioritise reform of England's social care system, citing his father's experience in a care home. In one of his first speeches as prime minister, he said it was humbling to witness the skill, care and professionalism shown by care workers such as those who looked after his father, and argued they should be paid more. No details have been given on when Burnham's engagements will resume. Downing Street has not said whether further events will be affected beyond Monday and Tuesday.