Prime Minister Andy Burnham has cancelled his official engagements following the death of his father, Roy Burnham, at the age of 86.
Downing Street confirmed the death on Monday, 14 September, and said the Prime Minister would not attend engagements scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.
Mr Burnham had been expected to host business leaders at No 10 on Monday afternoon. He was also due to address the Trades Union Congress conference in Brighton.
According to The Guardian, both appearances were cancelled after the announcement.
Father had been living with Alzheimer’s
Roy Burnham had been living in a care home after developing Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive condition that affects memory, thinking and behaviour.
The Prime Minister previously spoke publicly about the effect of the condition on his father and the wider family.
In an interview before entering Downing Street in July, Mr Burnham said his father’s condition meant he did not understand that his son was about to become Prime Minister.
Mr Burnham described his political achievement as one shared by the entire family, while expressing sadness that his father was no longer able to fully recognise it.
The Evening Standard reported that care home staff had helped Roy watch his son enter Downing Street, despite the difficulties caused by his illness.
Family experience influenced social care plans
Mr Burnham has connected his family’s experience with his commitment to reforming England’s social care system.
In a speech delivered shortly after becoming Prime Minister, he referred to his father and other people facing what he described as unfair treatment under the current care system.
He has argued that people should not be forced to sell their homes to meet the cost of essential care and has called for closer integration between health and social care services.
The Prime Minister has also spoken about the financial and emotional pressure placed on relatives who provide unpaid care.
The charity BRACE Dementia Research said Mr Burnham’s account had drawn attention to the daily challenges experienced by people living with dementia, their relatives and professional carers.
Tributes offered to the Prime Minister
Political figures have offered condolences to Mr Burnham and his family following the announcement.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner was among those who expressed sympathy, according to The Guardian.
Roy Burnham worked as a telephone engineer, while his wife, Eileen, worked as a general practice receptionist. They raised Andy and his two brothers in Culcheth, Cheshire.
Mr Burnham has previously credited his parents with giving their children a supportive upbringing and encouraging them to pursue higher education, although neither parent had attended university.
Downing Street had not announced when the Prime Minister would resume his public engagements at the time of publication.
