The Know Daily - Tuesday 21 July 2026

_{Read in 4m 08s ∙ Listening to Molly Lovette ∙}

Ed Sheeran has inspired a new £12.5 million “Music in Libraries” initiative that will help turn libraries across England into creative spaces where young people can access free music equipment, recording studios, mentoring and live performance opportunities. More than 150 library authorities will be able to apply for funding, making it easier for the next generation, no matter where they live. We could break into song just thinking about it! 🎶

🧳 Andy Burnham moves into No. 10

Andy Burnham is officially Britain's new Prime Minister and he’s made his first moves by announcing a 10-year plan and beginning to form a new cabinet.

The debrief.
After Sir Keir Starmer formally resigned yesterday morning, Burnham was invited by King Charles III to form a government before delivering his first address as Prime Minister. As reported by Reuters, he used the speech to promise a new style of politics centred on stability after Britain has had seven Prime Ministers in a decade. His first priorities include tackling the cost of living, ending rough sleeping and giving people what he called "breathing space", with further announcements expected this week. 

Did he say what he wants to achieve?
Burnham says he'll publish a 10-year plan for Britain later this year, arguing that governments need to think beyond the next election cycle. In his first speech as Prime Minister, he said the strategy will focus on:
🏘️ Building more council homes.
🎓 Reforming education and expanding mental health support to help more young people into work.
🏭 Reindustrialising Britain by backing UK industry and manufacturing.
💧 Putting "life's essentials" – including housing and other key services – under stronger public control to keep them affordable.
📍 Shifting power away from Westminster and giving more control to communities across the country.

So what’s happened to the Cabinet?
Burnham has begun appointing a new Cabinet, combining some familiar faces with key allies. John Healey has been named Chancellor, Ed Miliband becomes Foreign Secretary and Shabana Mahmood remains Home Secretary. Meanwhile, Louise Haigh has been appointed First Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office. Angela Rayner is returning as Housing Secretary, but several senior ministers from Keir Starmer's government, including Rachel Reeves, David Lammy, Peter Kyle and Steve Reed, have left the Cabinet as Burnham forms his own top team.

What will happen next?
Yesterday marks the formal handover, but the pace may be slightly slower than usual. Parliament is now entering its summer recess, meaning Burnham's first weeks are expected to focus on appointing ministers, making early announcements on issues like the cost of living and preparing the wider legislative programme he'll bring to Parliament when MPs return in September.

🪸 People’s holiday photos are helping scientists track marine life around the Canary Islands in real time.

• The bigger story: Through the RedPROMAR project, members of the public can upload geotagged photos of marine plants and animals they spot while swimming, snorkelling or diving. Scientists then verify the sightings to help monitor biodiversity, detect new species and identify changes linked to climate change or invasive wildlife. More than 85,000 sightings have already been recorded, covering over 5,000 different species, with some contributors even helping discover species previously unknown in the Canary Islands.

🙇‍♀️ Nine types of procrastinator have been identified by a Cambridge University lecturer. Do you fall into any of the categories?

🔍 Ofcom has launched an investigation into Married at First Sight UK following "a fairness and privacy complaint".

💺 A “game-changing” new headrest is being rolled out by a popular airline – and we’re saying fin-a-ly! 

🥤 The sale of energy drinks to under-16s is set to be banned in England from next year under new legislation. 

🏖️ Some European countries don’t have the entry-exit system (the one that’s been causing all the queues!) with 10 options rounded up here. 

🏛️ The oldest natural history museum in the UK has completed the biggest redisplay project ever undertaken in its 166-year history.

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Trivia answer: A) This South American country will host the next FIFA Women's World Cup.

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