Rishi Sunak is to become prime minister and leader of the Conservative Party, after the ex-chancellor was the only contender to gain enough support from MPs.
Penny Mordaunt dropped out of the leadership race in the final minutes before nominations closed yesterday afternoon.
Sunak is the third prime minister this year, as Liz Truss resigned last week after only 45 days in post. Boris Johnson resigned in July.
Sunak said the UK faces “profound” economic challenges and added that he will work day in, day out to “deliver for the British people”.
Charities criticised Westminster “chaos” after Truss’ resignation, and on news of Sunak's win called on him to stabilise government.
Sunak will be the UK's first British Asian PM and at 42, the youngest in more than a century.
NCVO: 'We hope this will provide stability'
Alex Farrow, director of influencing and engagement at NCVO, said: “We congratulate Rishi Sunak on becoming leader of the Conservative Party. We hope that this will now provide some much-needed stability, and we look forward to working with the government so that charities can help address the urgent crises facing the country.
“Through enormously challenging economic times, the new prime minister needs to be on the side of communities. Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt can do that by uprating benefits, ensuring local authorities are properly funded, supporting households and charities with their energy bills beyond this winter, and protecting budgets that support people in the UK and around the world.”
NPC: 'An unbearably difficult time'
Head of policy at NPC, Leah Davis, warned that while Sunak's appointment is an important sign of progress, he takes up the role at a very difficult time.
"Britain has its first British-Asian Prime Minister; an important sign of the progress we’re making. Rishi Sunak takes office at an unbearably difficult time. During the pandemic he showed his willingness to support people directly through the furlough scheme and through the £750m package for charities.
"To tackle the new waves of crises we face – cost-of-living, an economic slowdown, the climate crisis, and deep inequalities across the UK – Rishi Sunak will need to use everything at his disposal. This must include charities that are providing vital support to thousands of people now. The prime minister should also stand by his earlier commitments to net-zero and levelling up.”
CFG: 'Keep to your promise – increase benefits in line with inflation'
Clare Mills, director of policy and communications at Charity Finance Group, said: “Earlier this year Rishi Sunak said that he would increase benefits in line with inflation. He needs to keep that promise. We need to show that, as a country, we support those in most need, now, ahead of one of the most difficult winters on record. This would help people to look after themselves and their families, as well as helping hard-pressed charities and stretched public services manage the demand for their support.”
Action for Children: 'Challenges haven't changed'
Imran Hussain, director of policy and campaigns at Action for Children, called on Sunak to keep benefits in line with inflation.
He said: “We’d like to congratulate Rishi Sunak on this historic moment as he becomes Britain’s first British Asian prime minister. With new leadership comes renewed hope, but the challenges haven’t changed – and although there will be many tough decisions facing Mr Sunak, keeping children from hunger and harm should not be one of them.
“There are 3.9 million children living in poverty in the UK and we urge him to prioritise them now. The simplest way to do this is for the prime minister to stand by his promise earlier this year, to keep benefits in line with inflation.”
ActionAid UK: 'Must keep promises to women and girls'
Hannah Bond, director of policy, advocacy and programmes at ActionAid UK, called on the incoming PM to reinstate previously cut funds for gender equality.
She said: “Rishi Sunak must keep the UK government’s promises to women and girls. Humanitarian assistance is urgently needed in East Africa, which is experiencing its worst food crisis in decades. Women and girls – who often eat last and least – are worst affected.”
DSC: 'Political stability is vital'
Jay Kennedy, director of research and policy at DSC, said: “The country faces huge challenges and it’s vital that there’s some political stability in Westminster if we’re to have any chance of dealing with those problems. Hopefully today’s news, combined with the fiscal event next week, provides an opportunity for more normal operations to resume.
“Charities across the country are dealing with rising social need and increasing demand for their services, whilst themselves face spiralling costs and uncertain funding. It’s critical that the government listens to the expertise they can offer about what is going on in society and what needs to be done about it, as well as what support charities need to keep helping people.”
Bond: 'Protect the diminishing UK aid budget from further cuts'
Simon Starling, director of policy, advocacy & research at Bond, said: “Strong leadership and global partnership will be needed to tackle multiple issues both at home and abroad, such as the ongoing food crisis and famine in East Africa, climate change and the pandemic. But to deliver this, the UK government needs to salvage its reputation as a trusted global partner that delivers on its promises.
“The prime minister, and his incoming cabinet, have an opportunity to demonstrate what ‘compassionate conservatism’ looks like, by not balancing its books on marginalised communities, whether they are in the UK or in other countries. We would urge the prime minister to protect the diminishing UK aid budget from any further cuts.”
British Asian Trust: 'Quite a remarkable day'
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