Following Angela Rayner’s resignation on Friday afternoon, Prime Minister Keir Starmer took the opportunity to not just appoint a new Deputy and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, but also to completely reshuffle the Cabinet.
This has brought changes across a number of departments, with the King approving the new appointments on Sunday afternoon.
Taking over the now vacant role of Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy has switched from being Foreign Secretary to becoming the Secretary of State for Justice. The position of Foreign Secretary will now be held by Yvette Cooper who is replaced by Shabana Mahmood as the Home Secretary.
Angela Rayner’s former position as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government is now the responsibility of Steve Reed, who was at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. That particular department will now be led by Emma Reynolds. Liz Kendall, formerly the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, is now the Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary, with her former office being occupied by Pat McFadden.
Peter Kyle has been confirmed as the new Secretary of State for Business and Trade, as Jonathan Reynolds shifts to Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury. Alongside those two moves, Darren Jones has been confirmed as the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, whilst Douglas Alexander has taken over the role of the Scottish Secretary.
A number of members of the Cabinet have retained their roles, with Rachel Reeves continuing as Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey remaining as Defence Secretary, and Wes Streeting staying in the role of Health Secretary. Bridget Phillipson, Lisa Nandy and Ed Miliband will also stay on as Education, Culture and Energy Secretaries respectively.
Heidi Alexander, who was appointed Transport Secretary in November 2024, has remained in that role.
Image credit: iStock
