New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed the team that will make up his Cabinet, with some major changes to the Cabinet that was appointed by Sir Keir Starmer.
Returning to the Cabinet are Louise Haigh, Angela Rayner, and Wes Streeting, who had been members of the first Starmer Cabinet that was appointed after the 2024 General Election victory. Haigh had previously held the role of Transport Secretary, however Andy Burnham has made her the First Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Minister for the Cabinet Office. Rayner, who resigned from the Cabinet in September 2025, returns to retake her position as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Streeting had been Health Secretary under Starmer, however resigned from that position in May – a move that kicked off the challenge to the former Prime Minister’s leadership. Streeting has now returned to the Cabinet as the Secretary of State for Defence. Former Defence Secretary John Healey – who left the role at the beginning of June regarding issues over spending – has been appointed Chancellor, taking over from Rachel Reeves.
Commenting on his new role on his X.com (formerly Twitter) account, Healey said:
“It is the greatest privilege to be appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer by the Prime Minister.
“Together, we will build a new economy, build new hope and advance the working people of this country.
“Time to get on with the job.”
The new Defence Secretary’s former position of Health Secretary, which was held by James Murray, has been taken over by Yvette Cooper. Cooper has held the roles of Foreign and Defence Secretary since the 2024 election. The position of Foreign Secretary will now be held by Ed Miliband, with the former Labour Party Leader moving over from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Leadership of that department is now the responsibility of Miatta Fahnbulleh.
Shabana Mahmood is one cabinet minister that is staying in the same position, as she stays on as Home Secretary - a role that she has had since September 2025. Other ministers that are not moving are Pat McFadden (Secretary of State for Work and Pensions), Lisa Nandy (Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport), and Heidi Alexander (Transport Secretary). Douglas Alexander is also staying on as the Secretary of State for Scotland.
The new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is Chris Bryant – who has held ministerial positions in a number of departments – whilst Stephen Kinnock becomes the Secretary of State for Wales.
Jonathan Reynolds, who was the Business Secretary in Sir Keir Starmer’s first Cabinet, returns to take on that role, however the position has been merged with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. This means that there is no position for former Technology Secretary Liz Kendall.
Alex Norris has been appointed to the Cabinet for the first time, as he takes over from David Lammy as the Secretary of State for Justice. Alongside this, Lucy Powell takes on leadership of a department as she becomes Secretary of State for Education. Powell had previously been the Leader of the House of Commons, and Deputy Labour Leader.
Former Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson remains in the Cabinet, as she takes over the role of Minister for Women and Equalities.
Angela Eagle has also returned to the Cabinet for the first time since Gordon Brown’s premiership, as she comes in to lead the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Image credit: iStock
