Andy Burnham has started to announce his ministerial picks on his first official day as prime minister.
The new PM is looking to draw a line in the sand between Keir Starmer’s government and his own, and so will likely root out those most closely linked to his predecessor.
However he has said he wants to run a more “collaborative” type of politics, suggesting he would be happy to have a range of ideologies in his top team.
Here’s what we know so far.
Cabinet Dismissals
Rachel Reeves has been sacked as the chancellor, having been closely tied to Starmer’s government and helped him enact any major economic policies.
She wrote on X: “I wish the very best of luck to my successor, Andy and his cabinet. You have my full support, and I will continue to play my part in helping this Labour government deliver the change the country needs.”
She was reportedly offered a role in Burnham’s government but turned it down.
Steve Reed was dismissed as housing and communities secretary, too.
He was loyal to Starmer to the very end so it is unsurprising he added a brutal parting shot for the new administration in his resignation letter.
The Labour MP wrote: “Keir Starmer showed loyalty to me by appointing me to his Cabinet. I make no apology for returning that loyalty. It’s what is expected of functioning teams, and I hope those who did not show loyalty to Keir will now show it to you.”
David Lammy was also kicked out of government after serving as deputy prime minister, justice secretary and previously his foreign secretary.
The Starmer loyalist wrote on X: “I would have been proud to continue serving in cabinet. But a new prime minister is entitled to build his own team, and I wish Andy Burnham and the new cabinet every success.”
Peter Kyle was also sacked as business secretary while Liz Kendall was fired as the science secretary.
Attorney General Lord Hermer and close friend to Starmer was kicked out, too, though he said the incoming government will have “my utmost support”.
Secretary for Wales Jo Stevens was also sacked, making her the seventh name from the previous cabinet to get the boot.
Chief secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones was fired as well, writing on X: “Andy Burnham has called to tell me I won’t be a part of his new cabinet. I wish him and his team every success.”
Minister for international development, Jenny Chapman, sat in cabinet and was a key ally to Starmer.
She was kicked out of her post, saying: “I’m disappointed to be leaving but wish the prime minister and his new team every success.”
Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn confirmed he had been kicked out, too, while cabinet office minister and paymaster general Nick Thomas-Symonds was also sacked.
Dan Jarvis, who was only appointed defence secretary last month, was also sacked.
Cabinet Appointments
John Healey was confirmed as the chancellor after being the first person to walk up Downing Street in front of the media this afternoon.
Healey quit as defence secretary last month amid concerns over his department’s budget, helping to accelerate Starmer’s exit from office.
His appointment was a surprise as it was thought that either Shabana Mahmood or Ed Miliband would be heading to the Treasury.
Instead, Mahmood is remaining home secretary while Miliband is the new foreign secretary.
Louise Haigh, another senior Burnham ally who was forced to resign as transport secretary under Starmer, will become Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster with the job of driving the new PM’s priorities across Whitehall.
Yvette Cooper has been moved from the Foreign Office to become health secretary, while Pat McFadden keeps his job as work and pensions secretary.
Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner got her old job back as secretary of state for communities, housing and local government.
Johnny Reynolds returns to the now-expanded Department of Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell is the new education secretary, replacing Bridget Phillipson, who remains minister for women and equalities, and will still attend cabinet.
Another key Burnham ally, Anneliese Midgley, replaces Reynolds as chief whip.
Miatta Fahnbulleh, who quit Starmer’s government in protest at his leadership and was Burnham’s policy chief as he prepared to become PM, replaces Ed Miliband as energy and net zero secretary.
Wes Streeting takes over from Dan Jarvis as the new defence secretary, while Lisa Nandy remains culture secretary.
Alex Norris replaces David Lammy as justice secretary, while Angela Eagle becomes secretary of state for the environment, food and rural affairs.
Stephen Kinnock is the new Welsh secretary, while Douglas Alexander remains Scottish secretary.
Wider Government
James Timpson, who was appointed to the Lords to serve as prisons and probation minister back in 2024, announced he was “retiring” today.
He spent longer in the post than anyone else appointed to the ministerial position over the last 15 years.
Science minster Patrick Vallance – and the government’s chief scientific adviser during the pandemic – quit on Monday morning, citing “personal reasons”.
It comes amid speculation the science department could be disbanded under Burnham.