Prime Minister Andy Burnham has moved to reshape his ministerial team by elevating Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar to the House of Lords and preparing him for a ministerial post in the reworked Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
Peerage to come with a ministerial brief
Sources speaking to the Press Association say Mr Sarwar will be made a peer and is expected to join the department now headed by Jonathan Reynolds. The appointment forms part of a wider round of changes Mr Burnham announced after entering Downing Street and naming his Cabinet.
The moves follow the new prime minister's departure from many figures who were seen as loyal to his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer. Mr Sarwar, who has led Scottish Labour since 2021, was among those who urged Sir Keir to step down earlier this year and has publicly welcomed Mr Burnham's first days in No 10.
He hailed successor Mr Burnham for his “bold Labour vision” as he entered No 10 this week.
Wider ministerial changes
Downing Street confirmed a number of other appointments on Tuesday night. Several ministers have been moved or returned to previous roles, while others have been given new responsibilities.
- Dan Jarvis — moved back to his former role as security minister.
- James Murray — appointed Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General.
- Anna Turley — taken off the role of Labour Party chair and made a Home Office minister.
- Florence Eshalomi — appointed a housing minister.
- Andy Slaughter — named Solicitor General.
There were also a number of re-appointments: 17 ministers will remain in their existing posts, including Sarah Sackman as justice minister and Luke Pollard as defence minister.
Policy emphasis and questions on funding
Mr Burnham told his first Cabinet he would lead a “cost-of-living Government” and announced an immediate measure intended to ease household energy costs: an £850 million tax cut on electricity bills. The Government said the package will save households around £45 a year, though commentators and opponents have questioned how the cut will be funded and whether the saving justifies the measure.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Electricity bill tax cut | £850 million |
| Estimated household saving | £45 a year |
The Prime Minister’s first Cabinet meeting was described by No 10 as reflecting “a sense of a united team, a new sense of energy, and a second chance at a first impression.” The inclusion of Mr Sarwar in the Commons-to-Lords elevation underscores the reshuffle’s reach and the new government's approach to staffing senior roles across the UK.
Local Labour figures and Scottish political observers will watch closely how Mr Sarwar’s new responsibilities, if confirmed, intersect with devolved matters and the party’s position in Scotland.
