Intermittent fasting helped people keep weight off for a year

Posted on 18/07/2026 by Boris Clair

A 12 week intermittent fasting program may help people maintain weight loss for at least a year after the structured intervention ends, according to research involving the University of Granada (UGR).

Published in Clinical Nutrition, the study followed 99 adults who were overweight or obese. Half of the participants were women. Researchers found that limiting daily food intake to an eight hour period helped participants preserve more of their weight loss than maintaining an eating window of 12 hours or longer.

Intermittent Fasting Benefits Persisted for a Year

The researchers examined the popular 16:8 approach to intermittent fasting. Under this method, people fast for 16 hours each day and eat during the remaining eight hours.

The lasting benefits did not depend on whether participants ate earlier or later in the day. An early schedule allowed eating between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., while a later schedule used a window between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m.

One year after the intervention ended, both the early and late fasting groups had maintained significantly more weight loss than participants who continued eating across 12 hours or more each day. Those assigned to the early schedule also preserved a larger reduction in fat mass.

The findings suggest that time restricted eating may be practical in the short term while also producing effects that continue well beyond the initial program.

Tracking Weight and Body Composition

The study appeared in Clinical Nutrition, the official journal of the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Scientists from the University of Granada (UGR), the Granada Institute for Biomedical Research (ibs.GRANADA), the Public University of Navarra, and the Biomedical Research Networking Center (CIBER) participated in the research.

During the first 12 weeks, all 99 participants received education about following a Mediterranean diet. They were then placed into four groups.

The control group continued using its usual daily eating window of 12 hours or longer. The early fasting group followed an eight hour window beginning before 10:00 a.m. The late fasting group used an eight hour window beginning after 1:00 p.m. Participants in the self selected group chose their own eight hour schedule.

Researchers measured body weight, fat mass, and fat free mass before and after the intervention. They assessed the same measurements again one year after the program had concluded.

The work was part of a broader research project whose primary findings were published in Nature Medicine. Those results showed that participants practicing TRE lost an average of 3-4 kilos more than people who received nutritional guidance alone, regardless of when their eating window occurred.

Weight Changes Remained After the Program

Dr. Alba Camacho Cardeñosa, a researcher at the University Joint Institute for Sport and Health (iMUDS) at the University of Granada (UGR) and a postdoctoral fellow at ibs.GRANADA in the Endocrinology and Nutrition Department at San Cecilio University Clinical Hospital, is the first author of the study.

She explains that “to date, although we knew that intermittent fasting promotes modest weight loss in the short term, it was unclear whether its effects were sustained over time. By evaluating the participants 12 months after the intervention ended, we demonstrated that the changes in body weight persist.”

The researchers also point to evidence that the routine may be manageable outside a controlled study. They highlight that “a very positive finding is that one in three people decided to continue practicing intermittent fasting on their own during that year of follow-up, suggesting that it is a relatively easy habit to integrate into daily life.”

A Flexible Approach to Weight Management

Researchers from the PROFITH CTS-977 research group at the University of Granada (UGR) led the study through ibs.GRANADA. Professor Jonatan Ruiz Ruiz heads the group.

The project also included collaborators from San Cecilio University Clinical Hospital, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital in Granada, the Public University of Navarra, the CIBER on Obesity (CIBEROBN), and the CIBER on Frailty and Healthy Aging (CIBERFES).

According to the research team, even a 12 week period of intermittent fasting could provide an effective medium term option for weight management among adults who are overweight or obese.

Because both early and late eating windows produced lasting benefits, patients may be able to choose the schedule that fits their routines most comfortably. That flexibility could make the approach easier to follow and potentially improve its usefulness in obesity treatment.

Research Into Metabolic and Cardiovascular Health

The MP20 group, Biomarkers of Metabolic and Bone Diseases at ibs.GRANADA, studies biological markers and potential treatment targets related to metabolic, bone, and cardiovascular conditions.

The group combines bioinformatics with clinical research to create diagnostic tools and assess possible therapies. Its work includes investigating intermittent fasting as a treatment for obesity and associated health problems, along with studying whether bone markers can help predict cardiovascular risk.

Through its multidisciplinary and collaborative approach, the group aims to produce research with practical clinical applications.

The Rarest Personality Type Is ‘Misunderstood’, Psychologist Says

Posted on 18/07/2026 by Boris Clair

If you’ve ever done a personality quiz, you’ve probably heard of the Myers-Briggs personality types.

These are assigned based on tests that measure people’s levels of extroversion (E), introversion (I), sensing (S), intuition (N), thinking (T), feeling (F), judging (J) and perceiving (P). Our balance of these factors is meant to reflect how we receive and give energy (E or I), take in information (S and N), reach conclusions (T and F) and relate to the outside world (J and P).

In total, there 16 Myers-Briggs personality types, made up of different combinations of these four traits.

And the rarest kind seems to be INFJ, which describes around just 1.5% of the population.

We spoke to psychologist and CEO of Male Allies UK, Lee Chambers, about what INFJ personality types usually experience, and how they’re often “misunderstood”…

What does an INFJ personality type mean?

INFJs score highly on introversion, intuition, feeling and judging.

They may “seek meaning and connection in ideas, relationships, and material possessions”, Myers-Briggs’ site reads.

Chambers explained that INFJs will often “look calm on the outside while processing a lot on the inside”.

“They tend to be intense, while also being quiet, enjoying time with a small, close-knit group, going deep in conversation, [and] actively listening, before stepping away to recharge alone,” he continued. “They are likely to enjoy routine, space to reflect, and doing things that have meaning.”

He added: “They tend to be well attuned to the energy of rooms of people, often care deeply about the feelings of others, and prefer harmony, while having low tolerance for bravado, small talk, and things they perceive as shallow.”

How do INFJs connect with others?

The psychologist said this personality type tends to enjoy meaningful activities with people who share a passion for what matters to them.

“But they also find joy in space to reflect, expression through creativity and feeling in alignment,” he noted.

“A slower, deeper type of connection, with just a few people, tends to create the trust that this personality type values. And many have a personal mission they are on, that they get happiness from bringing to the world.”

How are INFJs perceived?

Chambers added that INFJs are “easily misunderstood, their quietness mistaken for being cold and secretive”.

Their empathy can make them seem like a “soft touch” to some, while others might think their deep caring tendencies mean they’re constantly emotionally available.

In reality, though, the expert said INFJs need “solitude to recharge”.

Meanwhile, their capacity for deep thought might sometimes make them appear overly serious.

“While every INFJ is an individual, they are likely to listen more than they speak, always look like they have it together (even when they don’t), are good at picking up emotional undercurrents, and remember the thing others miss,” he ended.

We’re Mediums, Here’s What We Want People To Know About Death

Posted on 18/07/2026 by Boris Clair

There are many perspectives the general public holds about death that mediums personally feel are untrue.

A medium’s main job is to help people connect with loved ones who have died; they see themselves as middlemen who communicate messages and bridge the gap between the physical and non-physical world, according to medium Alexis Williams. What’s more, some serve as a guiding light to navigate death, which is something so many people struggle to understand.

“The medium essentially becomes the antenna between worlds. What mediums train themselves to do to effectively receive messages is move or shift their own thoughts and awareness to the side and be completely open and receptive to the impressions that come to them from the consciousness they are connecting with,” Williams told HuffPost.

Mediums believe they have a unique and personal connection to death that many people do not – from what happens to our souls after we die to what the transition to the afterlife looks like. They navigate various religions, beliefs and fears people have about dying.

Here’s what they want you to know about their experiences with death.

1. Death is not a “door closing,” but a chance for a continued relationship

While we may no longer be able to talk to those who have died the way we did when they were alive, Williams said the biggest misconception she feels people have about death is that it’s a complete ending.

“Most people think of death as a door closing, when what I experience over and over is that it’s a frequency shift,” she said.

The communication may look different, but you don’t need a medium to tell your loved ones what you want to say. “They are always around and hear you,” medium Emilee Koch told HuffPost. This continues your relationship in a new way, one that allows you to remain connected with them until you’re reunited again.

“I wish people understood that dying does not mean you are no longer existing,” medium Naomi Attar said. “There are pieces of you that continue, just not in physical form. Our loved ones visit us frequently and try to speak to us. Everyone can listen to their loved ones in spirit; the issue is that most don’t listen.”

“Our consciousness lives on, our memories live on, the love we have for others lives on, and we’re not finished learning even on the other side,” Attar added.

Also, mediums believe our loved ones send us signs when they die. “We just have to pay attention. They would never abandon you, and they send signs so you know how much you still mean to them,” Attar said.

This could look like them appearing in dreams, songs that come on in the right moment, conversations with other people and other physical signs. It’s a new, unique way to stay connected with you.

2. A fear of death is normal, but limiting

Death can be scary for so many people, and that fear may impact how you view what happens after someone dies. It may also affect your belief in what happens to us after dying.

“When the body is in fear, it narrows what we’re able to take in, physically and energetically, and the possibilities we believe are available,” Williams said.

The perception of death can vary from person to person. Some believe in heaven and hell, others believe there is no afterlife, and so many of us simply aren’t sure what happens after you die. But no matter what you believe in, dying can be a scary thing to think about, and it’s normal to fear it.

“We fear what we don’t understand. It can be difficult to understand something we have not experienced. Some need to be proven differently but will still find ways to excuse it,” Attar said.

“I also find people can be fearful of the opposite – what if there is no afterlife? They want to believe it so badly that the thought of it not being true is fearful itself. But what is fascinating to me is that no matter the cause or reason for fear, they are hyper-focused on the dying itself rather than living their life to the fullest knowing the dying is inevitable.”

3. Death is an opportunity to let go of pain

The dying process differs for everyone, but mediums believe that death presents an opportunity to let go of pain. “Once our soul finally lets go, we are no longer filled with pain, whether emotion or physical,” Koch says.

Others believe that experiences from past lives carry into the next.

“I don’t believe there is one set of rules for [dying or an afterlife], and it is something that no one truly knows with full certainty. Maybe that’s part of the mystery and something we aren’t meant to know until the time comes for each of us,” Attar said.

“What I do know, though, is that we have many lifetimes and carry experiences from other lives into our current one. Some repeat relationships and people across multiple lifetimes. It’s this never-ending journey, and I think that’s beautiful.”

She continues: “Everyone has their own views of what death is like, but what I will say is that when spirit is speaking about their process, they often speak of who was there with them, how they felt, and how much love they had around them. They have told me many times that they are going ‘home,’ but no one really knows what ‘home’ means.”

4. The dead aren’t alone and haven’t left you

Losing a loved one and worrying about them in the afterlife – or wherever – is completely normal. But mediums want you to know that they aren’t alone when their souls let go and cross over. And you aren’t alone either.

“We are greeted with more love than you can imagine while here on earth. A lot of times, people are worried that the person who passed is by themselves, sad or disappointed about something that happened here. They never, ever are,” Koch said.

When someone dies, whether it be a parent, grandparent, friend or spouse, your daily life may completely shift. You aren’t doing the things you used to do with them because they are no longer in this world with us in the way they once were. But our relationship with the deceased still exists – just in a new form.

“I wish more people understood that death isn’t the end of the road for us, or the end of our relationship with our loved ones,” Koch said. “It never makes the grieving process easier, but it does give us hope and comfort knowing our loved ones are still with us.”

You’ve Probably Done These 6 Things At The Pool, But Doctors Say You Shouldn’t

Posted on 18/07/2026 by Boris Clair

There’s nothing quite like spending time by the pool. Cool water. Time with loved ones. A delicious snack. What could be better?

But before you grab your towel and jump in the water, pay attention to a few common poolside habits that doctors wish more swimmers and parents would think twice about.

We spoke to some clinicians about the behaviours they’d personally avoid in and around the pool this summer. Here’s what they had to say:

1. They’d never skip rinsing off before getting in the pool

It might feel pointless, especially if you’re planning to shower afterwards, but a pre-swim rinse matters more than you may realise.

Sweat, sunscreen, body lotions, hair products and natural skin oils all react with chlorine when they hit the water, which reduces chlorine’s ability to kill germs and creates irritating byproducts that can sting eyes and aggravate skin.

That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a quick pre-swim rinse, at least a minute under the shower, to wash off bacteria and other microbes you might unknowingly be carrying in.

This is especially key if “someone is dirty or has sand on them, as to not contaminate the water or clog up filtration systems,” said Dr Chris Bunick, a Yale Medicine dermatologist and associate professor at Yale School of Medicine.

2. They’d never bring glass anywhere near the pool

It’s easy for glass to end up around the pool in the summer, whether from an open bar, poolside cocktails or carrying bottled beverages near the water. However, it can be a risk for both swimmers and people on the deck.

“Broken glass is not a visible hazard. Whether on the pool deck or in the water, it can be nearly invisible,” said Dr Steven Valassis, chair of the emergency department at Hartford HealthCare St. Vincent’s Medical Center.

“When combined with the fact that people are typically barefoot, this can lead to significant lacerations. Nearly 5% of these lacerations are deep enough that they require hospital admission and surgical repair,” he added.

Additionally, glass that ends up in a pool can be especially problematic because even tiny pieces are difficult to detect and remove, sometimes necessitating a full drain as well as professional cleaning, Dr Valassis explained.

The good news is you don’t have to ditch your poolside drink, just the glassware. Try plastic cups or aluminum cans instead.

Leaving a child unattended by the pool — even for a short period of time — can be incredibly dangerous, doctors warn.

3. They’d never leave a child unattended, not even for a minute

The biggest misconception parents get about drowning is that they think they’d hear if their child got into trouble in the water. But the reality is far scarier.

“Drowning is fast, often silent, and can happen to any child. A survey found that 48% of parents mistakenly believe they would hear splashing or crying if a child was in trouble. Sadly, this is often not the case,” Valassis said.

Although swim lessons can help improve water safety skills, the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasises that swim lessons alone do not eliminate a child’s risk of drowning.

Drowning can happen in seconds, according to the CDC, so constant, focused supervision is non-negotiable, no matter how well your child swims.

4. They’d never swim while sick

Even if you’ve been looking forward to a day at the pool, it’s best to sit this one out if you’re feeling under the weather – especially if you’re dealing with a stomach bug.

“Swimming in the pool while sick is generally not a good idea, because further swimming and activity may precipitate nausea, vomiting and add risk for dehydration, all which may make a person more ill,” Dr Bunick said.

There’s also the issue of getting others sick through close contact. “Illnesses can be transmitted through pool water because the chlorine or other chemicals do not necessarily work instantly to stop infectious agents, thus allowing a window of time for infectious agents to pass to other people,” Dr Bunick added.

Emergency room physicians have seen many traumatic injuries from diving into the shallow end of a pool.

5, They’d never swim with an open wound

If you have a fresh scrape, deep cut or surgical incision, it’s best to keep it dry.

“It is best to not swim in the pool with an open wound, especially with a deep scrape or gash,” Dr Bunick said.

“First, the chlorine or other chemicals used to treat the water can further damage tissue in the wound, adding to skin breakdown and inflammation. Second, there is risk of infection of the wound with continued exposure to water, and this risk is increased more if swimming in lake, river or ocean water.”

If you have a minor cut or paper cut, you likely don’t need to skip the pool altogether. Dr Bunick recommended covering the wound with a healing ointment and a waterproof bandage before swimming in chlorinated water.

Just keep an eye on the area afterward, as redness, swelling or drainage could signal an infection that needs further medical attention, he explained.

6. They’d never dive into shallow water

While it may seem unlikely, this scenario is more common than many people realise, especially for children, who can get into trouble without ever reaching the deep end of the water.

“If a child dives into a shallow pool and hits their head on the bottom, the initial impact can cause a head/brain injury. The force is then transmitted from the head to the neck and cervical spine, where the spinal cord can be injured. This can potentially lead to paralysis and, in severe cases, the inability to breathe independently,” Dr Valassis said.

Most of these injuries don’t happen at public pools with lifeguards; they happen at home, Dr Valassis explained. The American Red Cross recommends going feet first into unfamiliar water.

The good news, Dr Valassis emphasised, is that most pool injuries are preventable with basic precautions and awareness. So this summer, swim smart and enjoy the splash.

Doctors failed to spot my hidden condition for so long I was left permanently disabled

Posted on 18/07/2026 by Boris Clair

Actor Daneka Etchells is performing in a show which reflects her experiences of “medical gaslighting”.

Liz Truss Breaks The Irony Metre By Predicting Andy Burnham Will Cause ‘Financial Crisis’

Posted on 17/07/2026 by Boris Clair

Liz Truss has predicted that Andy Burnham will lead Britain into a “financial crisis” in a moment which feels like pure satire.

The former Conservative prime minister famously planned to implement £45 billion of unfunded tax cuts which sent the pound into decline and the markets into turmoil.

The Bank of England even had to step in and buy £65 billion worth of government bonds to prevent disaster.

The chaos unleashed by her mini-Budget meant Tory MPs quickly pushed Truss out of office after just 49 days – making her the UK’s shortest-serving prime minister in history.

However, speaking at CPAC GB – a right-wing conference which is a spin-off of its American counterpart – Truss has predicted that the incoming PM Burnham would send the UK into “financial crisis”.

According to the Mirror, she said: “The money’s going to run out. I think the problems with migration are going to get worse and the general decay and stagnation of Britain is going to continue.

“I think the question is how long the pro-progressive authorities can continue.

“My prediction is that there will be another prime minister before 2029.”

Burnham was announced as the Labour leader on Friday and is set to become the next prime minister on Monday when Keir Starmer hands over the keys.

There is some trepidation about his plans for the economy amid fears he could push public spending hikes.

Truss’s words also come after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned Burnham this week that the UK is still struggling with the scars left behind by Truss’s mini-budget of 2022.

Four years on, and gilt markets are still nervous about the UK fiscal policy than previously, and according to the IMF, there has been a “regime change” on bond markets as a result.

Truss also told the conference: “We’ve had seven prime ministers in ten years.”

She added: “That’s the equivalent of a crap football team changing its manager all the time but not changing what happens on the pitch.”

It seems to have escaped her attention that five of those seven prime ministers have been Conservative – and she was one of them.

Truss also tried to call for right-wing figures to join her “counter-revolution” rather than going for jobs outside of politics.

“It’s time for successful people in Britain who actually care about the future of our country to step up. To stop being such cowards because at the moment they’re being cowards,” she said.

Truss lost her seat to the Labour Party at the 2024 general election.

According to the Mirror, barely a third of the 500-seat hall was occupied for her appearance at CPAC GB.

Burnham’s team has been approached for comment.

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

Here’s Why Cats Really Lick Each Other, And It’s Less Cute Than I Thought

Posted on 17/07/2026 by Boris Clair

We’ve written before at HuffPost UK about the heartwarming reason cats might lick their owners, as well as the pretty cute meaning behind a feline headbutt.

So perhaps it’s overdue for us to look at some of the furry friends’ less pure intentions.

According to a new study published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science, it turns out that cats’ “allogrooming” – including licking one another – isn’t always as wholesome as it looks.

Instead, the research, led by Morgane Van Belle, a cat behavioural scientist at Ghent University in Belgium, found the action has “multiple social functions”.

Allogrooming should therefore “not be used on its own to infer that the cats are socially bonded,” the study – which involved analysing 106 videos of feline pairs from 53 households – reads.

What does it mean when cats lick one another?

1) To show escalating tension

Sometimes, cats seem to lick each other as a kind of pre-conflict warning sign – like when one cat is annoyed by another pet stealing their favourite sunbathing spot.

This type of licking has been described as “passive-aggressive”.

In this case, the recipient of the lick might flatten their ears to show they’re not exactly loving the interaction.

Allogrooming in this case might be a “subtle agonistic signal to covertly solve conflict,” the paper reads. This type of licking might come alongside head shaking and even striking and biting.

2) To de-escalate a possible fight

Other times, the researchers said, licking can be “used as a form of appeasement to avoid escalation”.

Before a fight gets too serious, one cat might lick another as a way of re-establishing the peace.

“For me, [this] shows that they are quite elegant in the way they resolve conflict,” Van Belle told The New York Times.

“They could walk over and swat another cat in the face to get the blanket it is lying on. Instead, they lick it a little and fuss around. They have these very subtle ways of resolving conflict… that shows they are intelligent and flexible in their behavior, rather than simply being jerks.”

3) To intimidate each other

Some cases involved one cat “leaning over the other one” while licking them, which might be an intimidation or even bullying tactic.

Whatever the reason, the cat being licked in these cases typically shows signs of displeasure.

4) To clean one another

87% of the time, cats licked one another in the head and neck area.

That’s a hard spot for cats to reach by themselves, though it just so happens to be a very enjoyable place for most cats to be groomed, too.

5) To bond

Some licking is used for the adorable reason we assume it is: strengthening social bonds.

This is likely to be true if the cats are also playing together and have synchronised body posture.

Seeking physical contact with another cat, including snuggling, was followed by allogrooming in 41% of cases, for instance.

Licking was also sometimes used to initiate play.

6) To help one another relax

Lastly, licking may help the recipient relax.

Previous research showed that in various animals, “The behaviour has an immediate relaxing effect for the groomee, as it leads to a reduction in heart rate… and a release of beta-endorphins [natural pain and stress relievers].

“More research is needed to further explore and confirm the suggested functions for allogrooming in cats,” the paper ended.

“Ultimately, this knowledge can contribute to the recognition, resolution and prevention of social stress between cats in multi-cat households.”

Your fingers may hold a secret of human brain evolution

Posted on 17/07/2026 by Boris Clair

Human evolution is closely associated with the development of a much larger brain. New research suggests that greater exposure to estrogen before birth may have contributed to that expansion, and that a possible trace of this hormonal influence can be seen in the relative lengths of a person’s fingers.

Professor John Manning, a member of Swansea University’s Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) research team, specializes in the study of digit ratio.

Digit ratio compares the length of the index finger, known as 2D, with the length of the ring finger, known as 4D. This measurement is called the 2D:4D ratio. Researchers use it as an indirect indicator of the balance of estrogen and testosterone a fetus may have been exposed to during the first trimester of pregnancy.

People thought to have had relatively higher exposure to estrogen than testosterone generally have a longer index finger (2D) compared with their ring finger (4D). This results in a higher 2D:4D ratio.

For the latest study, Manning worked with researchers from Istanbul University’s Department of Anthropology. Their findings were published in the journal Early Human Development.

Comparing Newborn Fingers and Head Size

The team examined 225 newborns, including 100 boys and 125 girls. They measured each baby’s 2D:4D ratio and compared it with head circumference.

Head circumference is commonly used as a general indicator of brain size in newborns. It has also been associated with later measurements of cognitive development and IQ, although many genetic, environmental, and developmental factors influence intelligence.

The researchers found that boys with a higher 2D:4D ratio (indicating high prenatal estrogen) also tended to have a larger head circumference. The same relationship was not observed in girls.

A Possible Clue to Human Brain Evolution

The results may support a theory known as the estrogenized ape hypothesis. This idea proposes that the evolution of larger human brains occurred alongside changes that made the human skeleton less robust and more physically feminine compared with those of earlier ancestors.

Professor Manning said: “This finding is relevant to human evolution because increases in brain size are found alongside feminization of the skeleton, what is known as the estrogenized ape hypothesis. High values of 2D:4D in males have been found to be related to elevated rates of heart problems, poor sperm counts and predisposition to schizophrenia.

“However, increases in brain size may offset these problems. Thus, the evolutionary drive for larger brains in humans may inevitably be linked to reductions in male viability including cardiovascular problems, infertility and rates of schizophrenia.”

The researchers suggest that larger brains may have provided major evolutionary advantages, even if the hormonal conditions associated with that development also carried biological costs for males.

Evolution May Have Involved Trade-Offs

According to the team, the findings add to evidence that prenatal estrogen may have played a positive role in the evolution of the human brain.

The study does not show that finger length directly determines brain size. Instead, the researchers view digit ratio as a possible marker of hormonal exposure during early fetal development. The results identify an association that may offer clues about how prenatal hormones influenced human evolution.

Manning’s earlier research has explored whether digit ratio can provide information about alcohol consumption, outcomes after contracting COVID-19, and oxygen consumption in footballers.

‘We’re Going To Give Them Hope Back’: Andy Burnham Officially Becomes Labour Leader

Posted on 17/07/2026 by Boris Clair

Andy Burnham has officially been crowned as the leader of the Labour Party, meaning he is days away from being de facto prime minister.

The Makerfield MP will have to wait until Monday to formally take over from Keir Starmer in No.10, as a quirk in the rules means he could not take both titles on the same day.

Burnham ran uncontested to be the next leader of the largest party in the Commons with the support of more than 350 of Labour’s 403 MPs.

In his first speech as Labour leader, he promised he would help to give Brits “hope back”.

He said his supporters “heard the call from the people of Makerfield on behalf of forgotten places everywhere, up and down this country, for a return of the Labour they once knew”.

He added: “And now we answer that call. We will be that version of Labour again.”

Burnham, who has run three times to lead the party, promised he is “ready” to lead Labour now after his nine-year stint as Greater Manchester mayor.

He also praised Starmer for making the party electable after its shocking defeat in the 2019 general election.

He then began to outline what changes he wants to implement, promising: “Change starts with honesty.

“We must recognise that this generation of politicians, myself included, have failed to challenge a political culture and an economic model that simply doesn’t work well enough for ordinary people.

“Four decades of neoliberalism that began in the 1980s have not been kind to the places that built our party, nor to the communities across the UK in rural and coastal areas. So we pledge today to them to be better.”

He added that the public has given his party a “last chance” to implement change – and that he will take the country in a direction which is “distinctively Labour”.

Burnham made five promises to improve the party, too.

He said he would work to build a “new politics”, change Labour’s “political direction”, be a leader for the entirety of the UK, take power back from Westminster and Whitehall and work to stop Labour in-fighting.

Burnham has had a rapid ascent to Downing Street in recent months.

Support for the then-Greater Manchester mayor started to rise as Starmer’s successor after the party’s disastrous performance in the May elections in England, Scotland and Wales.

However, as he did not have a seat in the Commons, Burnham was not able to challenge Starmer’s premiership.

So Josh Simons, Makerfield MP, stood aside to trigger a by-election and give Burnham a chance to return to the Commons.

His comfortable victory over Reform UK last month only strengthened calls for Starmer to step down.

The prime minister subsequently resigned and Labour MPs rushed to endorse Burnham.

There is still plenty of mystery around what Burnham intends to do in office as he avoided any major press conferences and is yet to announce who he wants in his cabinet.

But he insisted today that he “has a plan” and that he will “not change”, staying loyal to his style.

“I have listened and learned as I have gone along, you’ll be pleased to know. And hopefully I’ve got better as a result,” Burnham said. “You can be sure of this: I know what I believe after 25 years as an elected Labour representative, and I know what I want to do with you all. I have a plan.

“What I also want you to know is I won’t change. I have a style and it’s my style. I will always stay close to the ground, close to the people.”

WellnessMaster

Get The Latest News on Holistic Wellness

Popular sugar substitutes linked to faster brain aging

Intermittent fasting helped people keep weight off for a year

The Rarest Personality Type Is ‘Misunderstood’, Psychologist Says

What does an INFJ personality type mean?

How do INFJs connect with others?

How are INFJs perceived?

We’re Mediums, Here’s What We Want People To Know About Death

1. Death is not a “door closing,” but a chance for a continued relationship

2. A fear of death is normal, but limiting

3. Death is an opportunity to let go of pain

4. The dead aren’t alone and haven’t left you

You’ve Probably Done These 6 Things At The Pool, But Doctors Say You Shouldn’t

1. They’d never skip rinsing off before getting in the pool

2. They’d never bring glass anywhere near the pool

3. They’d never leave a child unattended, not even for a minute

4. They’d never swim while sick

5, They’d never swim with an open wound

6. They’d never dive into shallow water

Doctors failed to spot my hidden condition for so long I was left permanently disabled

Liz Truss Breaks The Irony Metre By Predicting Andy Burnham Will Cause ‘Financial Crisis’

Here’s Why Cats Really Lick Each Other, And It’s Less Cute Than I Thought

What does it mean when cats lick one another?

1) To show escalating tension

2) To de-escalate a possible fight

3) To intimidate each other

4) To clean one another

5) To bond

6) To help one another relax

Your fingers may hold a secret of human brain evolution

‘We’re Going To Give Them Hope Back’: Andy Burnham Officially Becomes Labour Leader