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Live updates: Theresa May becomes prime minister

Theresa May has become Prime Minister after accepting an invitation from the Queen to form a new government.

  • David Cameron said it had been the "greatest honour of my life to serve our country as prime minister" as he spoke outside Downing Street
  • Mr Cameron and his family left Downing Street following his speech
  • Mr Cameron has met the Queen and tendered his resignation, which has been accepted
  • Mrs May met the Queen at Buckingham Palace and became prime minister after accepting an invitation to form a new government
  • In a speech in Downing Street, Mrs May promised to create "a country that works for everyone"
  • Mrs May made several key Cabinet appointments on Wednesday, and is expected to make further additions on Thursday
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Corbyn urges Theresa May to end austerity

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has congratulated Theresa May on becoming prime minister, but called on the new government to "abandon the destructive austerity policies which have damaged our economy and undermined living standards for most people".

Credit: PA

The embattled Labour leader said in a statement: "I welcome Theresa May's acknowledgement that, after six years of Tory government in which she was a senior minister, the economy is not working for working people."

He added that "Labour will hold her government to account and make the case for a complete change of economic direction" and that the EU referendum result shows many in Britain feel left behind by globalisation and "it is essential that the new government recognises that and acts to ensure future generations have the chance to fulfil their potential".

"Labour is clear that democratic legitimacy for Theresa May's government can only come from a general election", the statement ends.

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Live updates: Theresa May becomes prime minister

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