John Healey made chancellor in surprise pick
Angela Rayner has been given the keys to the housing ministry by new prime minister Andy Burnham, having departed from the same role less than a year ago.
The former deputy leader of the Labour party had served as the secretary of state in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government between the July 2024 election and September last year.
Controversy over her tax affairs saw her resign from all her governmental briefs and party positions, consigning her to the backbenches as Steve Reed took over the housing post.
Rayner had been touted as a potential leadership candidate during Starmer’s last months in office but instead backed the former mayor of Greater Manchester’s bid.
After entering 10 Downing Street yesterday afternoon, Andy Burnham’s new administration announced the departure of several senior cabinet figures.
These included chancellor Rachel Reeves, who reportedly turned down a significant cabinet job, as well as Darren Jones, a Starmer ally who had led the government’s work on infrastructure.
Steve Reed announced in a statement on X that he would not be part of the new government, alluding to his own loyalty to Starmer but wishing Burnham the best.
The first new appointment announced was John Healey as chancellor - a surprise to many after weeks of press briefing about a two-horse race between Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood.
A slow drip of new cabinet appointments and re-appointments came out over the course of the rest of the day and continued late into the evening.
Jonathan Reynolds was returned to his old brief as business secretary, leading a newly enlarged Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
This department has historically included a minister of trade for construction, who co-chairs the Construction Leadership Council. However, the occupant of this role has yet to be named.
Rayner’s appointment as housing secretary came relatively later in the evening and was followed by confirmation that Matthew Pennycook would remain housing minister in the department and would attend cabinet.
Heidi Alexander will remain as transport secretary, while Miatta Fahnbulleh has been made energy secretary, following Ed Miliband’s promotion to foreign secretary.
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