Andy Burnham has announced a sweeping Cabinet reshuffle after replacing Sir Keir Starmer as UK prime minister, appointing new ministers to several of the government’s most senior positions while removing a number of high-profile members of the previous administration.
Burnham, who became Labour leader last week, officially took office as prime minister on Monday. The former mayor of Greater Manchester is the UK’s fourth prime minister in five years and the seventh since 2016.
One of the biggest surprises in the reshuffle was the appointment of John Healey as Chancellor. Ed Miliband was named Foreign Secretary, while Shabana Mahmood retained her position as Home Secretary.
Burnham also appointed Louise Haigh as First Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office. Haigh previously managed Burnham’s Makerfield campaign.
Earlier on Monday, Burnham used his first speech outside Downing Street to pledge that he would bring “life’s essentials back under stronger public control” to make them more affordable and vowed to end rough sleeping.
Full List: Andy Burnham’s Cabinet Ministers
New appointments
- John Healey – Chancellor
- Ed Miliband – Foreign Secretary
- Shabana Mahmood – Home Secretary (remains in post)
- Louise Haigh – First Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office
Cabinet ministers leaving their roles
- Rachel Reeves – Chancellor
- David Lammy – Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary
- Steve Reed – Housing Secretary
- Peter Kyle – Business Secretary
- Liz Kendall – Technology Secretary
- Lord Richard Hermer – Attorney General
Rachel Reeves confirmed she would not serve in Burnham’s government after declining an offer of another senior Cabinet role.
Meanwhile, Angela Rayner, a long-time ally of Burnham, along with political veterans Pat McFadden and Yvette Cooper, were seen arriving at Downing Street as the new prime minister continued assembling his top team.
The reshuffle marks Burnham’s first major move as prime minister as he begins forming a new government following his appointment.