The Prime Minister was in a different location than his usual matchday spot during Everton’s season opener.
Andy Burnham attended Everton’s Premier League opening fixture at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, August 22, marking what appears to be his first visit since assuming the premiership. The former Greater Manchester Mayor was accompanied by club legend Peter Reid as he arrived at the riverside venue.
An ECHO reporter observed Burnham positioned near the directors’ box rather than in his customary season ticket holder’s spot in the South Stand. Everton FC shared footage of him arriving and posing for a photograph with a child supporter at the entrance before entering the stadium alongside Reid. The match saw Everton take on Crystal Palace.
During his successful campaign to become MP for Makerfield, Burnham was frequently photographed going for runs wearing vintage Everton colours, generating widespread media attention.
The Old Roan-born supporter has long been vocal about his allegiance, maintaining regular match attendance throughout his tenure as Greater Manchester Mayor.
The Merseyside visit follows an announcement that Liverpool City Region will receive approximately £10 million as part of the Prime Minister’s initiative to eliminate rough sleeping.
The £442 million programme will be implemented across three years to create fresh accommodation and provide assistance ahead of winter. Beyond emergency shelter to address immediate needs, the scheme will offer hands-on support covering housing, health and additional requirements.
Burnham has indicated that he refuses to accept people having to sleep in doorways or outside railway stations.
As well as street-level provision, the funding will enable local authorities to deliver over 1,000 permanent homes throughout the three-year period, alongside comprehensive support to assist individuals in reconstructing their lives.
The Prime Minister has confirmed plans to convene an unprecedented national summit this autumn, bringing together figures from across society including business, finance, charitable organisations, healthcare, faith groups and beyond to explore how each sector can contribute to ending rough sleeping.
Burnham has said that nobody should have to sleep in a doorway or outside a station, that it has felt like Westminster has started to accept this situation, and that he will not accept it. He has described ending rough sleeping as his first instruction as Prime Minister and explained that the national drive aims to get everyone in for Christmas, noting that they managed this during the pandemic and can do so again. He has emphasized that it requires collective effort, with government providing funding and him asking leaders in communities and sectors across society to play their part locally in bringing people in from the cold and restoring hope.