Britain’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham faces scrutiny over a U.S. Embassy grant programme offering up to $500,000 for public education projects. Critics have accused the Trump administration of using the initiative to influence Britain’s political discourse, pointing to language focused on shared U.S.-U.K. values, freedom of speech, limited government and the rule of law. Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart and a former U.S. official have questioned the programme’s messaging. The U.S. Embassy has rejected claims of political meddling, saying the grants are part of public diplomacy and will not support partisan politics or lobbying.