The new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has carried out a significant overhaul of his Cabinet, promoting John Healey to Chancellor of the Exchequer in a move described in Westminster as unexpected. The wider shake-up saw senior figures from the previous administration shown the door and a reallocation of several top departments.
Major shifts at the top
Mr Healey replaces Rachel Reeves at the Treasury. A long-standing Labour frontbencher, Healey recently resigned as defence secretary after a dispute over military funding; his elevation to the Treasury has been framed by colleagues as the appointment of a "safe pair of hands." In his first public comments on the promotion he called the role “the greatest privilege.”
“Together, we will build a new economy, build new hope and advance the working people of this country.”
Ed Miliband has been moved to the Foreign Office, leaving his previous post at energy. Shabana Mahmood remains Home Secretary and has made clear she is keen to continue the asylum and policing reforms she has been pursuing.
Wider clear-out
The reshuffle has seen a number of high-profile departures from Cabinet teams aligned with the previous Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer. Reported ministers removed include David Lammy, Rachel Reeves and Steve Reed. Meanwhile, others have been retained or repositioned into senior roles.
- Louise Haigh has been appointed First Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and minister for the Cabinet Office.
- Pat McFadden remains Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
- Yvette Cooper moves from the Foreign Office to become Health Secretary.
- Names reported as entering No 10 — and therefore potentially in line for senior posts — include Lisa Nandy, Jonathan Reynolds and Bridget Phillipson.
Key appointments
| Role | Minister |
|---|---|
| Chancellor of the Exchequer | John Healey |
| Foreign Secretary | Ed Miliband |
| Home Secretary | Shabana Mahmood |
| First Secretary of State / Cabinet Office | Louise Haigh |
| Work and Pensions Secretary | Pat McFadden |
| Health Secretary | Yvette Cooper |
The scale of the changes underlines Burnham’s intention to stamp his authority on government early in his premiership. Some appointments were anticipated in political circles; others, such as Mr Healey’s jump to the Treasury, were taken by many in Westminster as surprises.
What it means locally
For people in Stirling, the reshuffle may have several practical effects. Treasury leadership will shape public spending decisions that affect local services, capital projects and council grants. At the same time, the Home Office’s approach to policing and immigration — areas Shabana Mahmood has emphasised she wants to see through — will continue to influence local policing priorities and community safety discussions.
Residents and local councillors will be watching how the new team approaches funding settlements for councils and public services in the months ahead. Official department briefings and the next budgetary decisions will be key moments to assess how these personnel changes translate into policy on the ground.
We will follow developments as further announcements are made and as ministers begin to set out priorities for their departments.
