Prime Minister Keir Starmer has initiated a major reshuffle of the UK Labour Government’s cabinet, triggered by the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner. The changes are seen as an effort to reset the government’s direction and address concerns about its performance, especially in light of recent political challenges.
Key appointments and changes in the reshuffle include:
- David Lammy has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister and also takes on the role of Justice Secretary. He was previously the Foreign Secretary.
- Yvette Cooper moves from her position as Home Secretary to become the new Foreign Secretary.
- Shabana Mahmood, who was previously the Justice Secretary, has been promoted to Home Secretary.
- Pat McFadden, formerly Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, is now the Work and Pensions Secretary, heading an enhanced department that will also take on Angela Rayner’s former brief for housing and communities.
- Steve Reed moves from Environment Secretary to take over the housing portfolio from Angela Rayner.
- Liz Kendall becomes the new Science and Technology Secretary, having previously served as Work and Pensions Secretary.
- Peter Kyle takes on the role of Trade Secretary, moving from his previous position as Science and Technology Secretary.
- Jonathan Reynolds becomes the new Chief Whip.
- Douglas Alexander, a former minister under Tony Blair’s government, returns to the cabinet as Scottish Secretary.
- Emma Reynolds is promoted to the cabinet to become the new Environment Secretary.
Several ministers have also left the government, including:
- Angela Rayner (Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary)
- Lucy Powell (Leader of the House of Commons)
- Ian Murray (Scottish Secretary)
The reshuffle also confirms that several key figures will remain in their roles, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.
The moves signify a significant change in the Labour government’s top team, with only a handful of ministers remaining in the same positions they held before the reshuffle.