Angela Rayner is reportedly being considered for the position of Health Secretary in a potential cabinet led by Andy Burnham, according to recent political speculation. Rayner, who previously resigned as Deputy Prime Minister following revelations about unpaid stamp duty totaling £40,000, is rumored to be a leading candidate for the significant cabinet role.
Burnham was recently elected unopposed as the leader of the Labour Party and is expected to assume leadership of the government on Monday, following Sir Keir Starmer's official resignation as Prime Minister. Burnham is anticipated to introduce a series of policy initiatives, with reforms to the social care system expected to be a central focus.
Rayner, who has a background as a care worker, would be tasked with revamping England's social care system. An allocation of approximately £18 billion is reportedly being set aside to establish a national care service. Baroness Casey of Blackstock is currently overseeing a review of the social care system, which could provide the framework for Rayner's proposed reforms. While the review was initially slated for publication in 2028, sources indicate that Burnham has requested Baroness Casey expedite her recommendations by the end of the current year. The peer has previously signaled a willingness to accelerate the review process.
Sources close to Burnham's inner circle have indicated that Rayner is being "lined up" to spearhead the overhaul of the care sector. Her potential return to a prominent government position would represent a significant political comeback, given her prior resignation after an inquiry found she inadvertently breached the ministerial code by failing to obtain proper expert tax advice.
Burnham has largely refrained from commenting on the specifics of his potential cabinet, stating only that it will "reflect all parts of our party." However, speculation about other key positions is circulating. Ed Miliband, the current Energy Secretary, was previously considered a strong contender for Chancellor, but Shabana Mahmood, the current Home Secretary, has emerged as a late front-runner for the role. Other MPs such as Jonathan Reynolds and Louise Haigh are also expected to return to government roles. Reynolds might resume his position as Business Secretary, while Haigh, a former Transport Secretary, is rumored to be considered for Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
Whispers in Westminster suggest the possibility of a dramatic return for David Miliband, potentially as Foreign Secretary. Miliband, who served as Foreign Secretary during the New Labour era, was a leading candidate to succeed Gordon Brown as Labour leader in 2010 before his brother Ed was chosen. He recently gave a speech in London expressing support for Burnham's devolution proposals. Burnham could potentially facilitate David Miliband's return to government by appointing him to the House of Lords, a move comparable to Rishi Sunak's appointment of Lord Cameron as Foreign Secretary.
Anneliese Midgley, a close ally of Burnham, is expected to take on the role of chief whip among the 2024 intake of MPs. Miatta Fahnbulleh, an economist who was among the first members of Starmer's government to call for his resignation after poor local election results, could be appointed secretary of state at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Burnham is scheduled to announce his full cabinet on Monday.