Problem solving not point scoring

BCECA has congratulated the UK’s new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, following his arrival in Downing Street earlier today. Mr Burnham, who returned to Parliament after winning the Makerfield by-election on 18 June, succeeds Sir Keir Starmer and becomes the United Kingdom’s seventh Prime Minister since 2016.

Published: 20th July 2026

BCECA Chief Executive Tracey Shelley said:

 

“The UK engineering contracting community will take heart from Mr Burnham’s recognition that Britain must demonstrate to the world that it can regain stability.”

 

“The UK is pursuing a range of first-of-a-kind energy transition projects. There is a pressing need for consistent, long-term policy that reduces volatility and gives investors confidence that support frameworks for emerging markets - including carbon capture and sustainable aviation fuel - will endure through changes of government.”

 

“Engineers understand the importance of collaboration. I was particularly struck by the line in Mr Burnham’s speech, where he said: We will change politics, to make it more collaborative, more about problem-solving than point-scoring.”

 

“BCECA congratulates Mr Burnham and wishes him well in that endeavour. We look forward to working with him and his new Cabinet to accelerate progress across the UK’s energy and process engineering sectors, delivering greater energy security, affordability and sustainable growth.”

 

“This must include securing the future of the UK engineering contracting industry and the highly skilled workforce upon which it depends. These are the engineering problem-solvers who will play a pivotal role in delivering the renewed stability that Mr Burnham has promised.”

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