Theresa May says UK will 'work for everyone' as she becomes prime minister

Media captionPrime Minister Theresa May said she wanted to "build a better Britain"

The UK's new prime minister Theresa May has vowed to create a country that works for all not just the "privileged few".

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, the former home secretary said it would be her mission to "build a better Britain".

She promised to give people who were "just managing" and "working around the clock" more control over their lives.

Mrs May is the UK's second female prime minister, after Margaret Thatcher.

Her husband Philip was standing behind her as she made her first public speech in the role, highlighting the "precious bond" between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and between "every one of us".

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"That means fighting against the burning injustice that if you're born poor you will die on average nine years earlier than others," she said.

For an "ordinary working class family", she added, "life is much harder than many people in Westminster realise".

Speaking directly to people who were "just managing", she said: "The government I lead will be driven, not by the interests of the privileged few, but by yours. We will do everything we can to give you more control over your lives."

She also paid tribute to her predecessor, David Cameron, saying he had been a "great, modern prime minister".

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Image caption Theresa May was applauded as she entered 10 Downing Street for the first time as PM

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Image caption The Queen formally appointed Theresa May as prime minister

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Image caption The new prime minister was joined by her husband Philip outside Number 10

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Image caption As his family left Downing Street, Mr Cameron wished the UK "every success"

Mrs May arrived at Downing Street from Buckingham Palace, where she officially accepted the Queen's invitation to form a new government.

Earlier the Queen accepted Mr Cameron's resignation as prime minister.

In his farewell statement outside Downing Street, Mr Cameron said Mrs May would provide "strong and stable leadership" and wished her well in her negotiations with the EU.

Mrs May, 59, suddenly won the Conservative leadership contest after rival candidate Andrea Leadsom pulled out on Monday.

One of her first tasks will be to appoint her new ministerial team.