Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday presented a reshaped Cabinet intended to refocus his government on delivery and growth after the dramatic resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and a fresh drop in his personal approval ratings.
Rayner quit on Friday after a standards report concluded she had breached the ministerial code over her tax arrangements. The departure prompted a swift ministerial reshuffle, with Starmer moving to fill senior roles he said were needed to "deliver for working people." A More in Common poll published this week found the prime minister's personal ratings had fallen to a net minus 44.
David Lammy was appointed deputy prime minister and justice secretary. Yvette Cooper takes over as foreign secretary and Shabana Mahmood has been named home secretary, a role in which she said she would "do whatever it takes" to get a grip on Channel crossings. Other senior appointments include Darren Jones as chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and chief secretary to the prime minister, Steve Reed at housing, communities and local government, and Peter Kyle as business and trade secretary.
Liz Kendall was moved from work and pensions to become secretary for science, innovation and technology after Labour MPs blocked a government attempt to curtail a rising benefits bill. Pat McFadden has been given the work and pensions brief with a task of seeking further savings on welfare — a priority described by colleagues as important to Chancellor Rachel Reeves' efforts to balance the government's finances. Lord Hermer remained attorney general in the reshuffle.
Other named roles include Emma Reynolds as environment secretary, Douglas Alexander as Scotland secretary, Jonathan Reynolds as chief whip and Sir Alan Campbell as leader of the House of Commons. The prime minister's official spokesman said Starmer's message to the "refreshed, reshaped" Cabinet would be to put delivery and growth "front and centre" in the second phase of government. Starmer is expected to describe the team as "a government of patriots — determined to deliver for working people. That's who we fight for."
The reshuffle follows a difficult first year for Labour in government, officials and lawmakers said, marked by public concern about immigration and party tensions over fiscal policy. The departure of Rayner, a leading figure in the party, immediately intensified scrutiny of ministerial conduct and intra-party alignment over spending and welfare policy.
Parliamentary manoeuvring in recent weeks underlined those tensions. An attempt by ministers to rein in the benefits bill was thwarted by Labour backbenchers, prompting Starmer to reshuffle portfolios and assign a senior figure to make another attempt at savings. Ministers and aides said the changes were intended to consolidate control of key domestic files ahead of a parliamentary autumn that is expected to test the government's capacity to pass contested measures.
A contest for the Labour deputy leadership also began to take shape after Rayner's exit. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson declared she would stand, positioning herself as the Downing Street-backed candidate, while former minister Lucy Powell has been mentioned as a potential challenger. Powell has received public praise from Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, who is sometimes viewed within Labour as a possible future leadership contender.
Starmer faces the near-term task of steadying a government that has contended with adverse publicity and shifting public opinion since taking office. Ministers said the reshuffle aims to present a clearer agenda on growth, public services and border security, but acknowledged the political and parliamentary challenges ahead as the administration seeks to translate the changes into tangible progress and improved public standing.