Andy Burnham's New Cabinet (2026)

Andy Burnham's New Cabinet (2026)

Compiled: 20 Jul 2026 · Last updated: 17 Aug 2026 21:46 BST


Summary

Andy Burnham was formally appointed prime minister by King Charles at Buckingham Palace on the afternoon of Monday 20 July 2026, succeeding Keir Starmer, who resigned as Labour leader the previous month. In his first address outside No 10, Burnham promised to "make this moment a circuit breaker for Britain" and deliver "the biggest changes in the last 40 years." His first cabinet represents a sweeping clear-out of ministers closely associated with the Starmer government, returning several "soft left" figures and allies to the top table. The reshuffle was still being updated as further appointments were announced at time of writing.


Timeline of Events

Date Event
Jun 2026 Burnham returns to Parliament as MP for Makerfield
Jun 2026 Starmer resigns as Labour leader
Jul 2026 Burnham wins backing of 379 of Labour's 403 MPs to replace Starmer
20 Jul 2026 (pm) Burnham appointed PM by King Charles at Buckingham Palace
20 Jul 2026 (pm) Burnham delivers first speech as PM outside No 10
20 Jul 2026 (eve) Cabinet appointments and departures announced

Background


Appointments — Who's In

Per BBC News / Wikipedia (21 Jul 2026). The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology was abolished; its functions split between the renamed Business department and DCMS.

Cabinet Ministers

Role Appointee Notes
Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service Andy Burnham (Makerfield)
First Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Minister for the Cabinet Office Louise Haigh (Sheffield Heeley) One of Burnham's closest allies
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Second Lord of the Treasury John Healey (Rawmarsh & Conisbrough) Surprise return — quit as defence secretary <2 months earlier
Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Ed Miliband (Doncaster North) Moved from Energy & Net Zero
Secretary of State for the Home Department Shabana Mahmood (Birmingham Ladywood) Retained (held since Sep 2025)
Secretary of State for Defence Wes Streeting (Ilford North) Resigned as health secretary in May, backed Burnham for leader
Lord Chancellor, Secretary of State for Justice Alex Norris (Nottingham North & Kimberley) Promoted from Home Office minister
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Yvette Cooper (Pontefract, Castleford & Knottingley) Moved from Foreign Secretary
Secretary of State for Education Lucy Powell (Manchester Central) Also Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner (Ashton-under-Lyne) Returns after stamp-duty affair; former deputy PM
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Miatta Fahnbulleh (Peckham) Former NEF director; resigned as junior minister May 2026
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden (Wolverhampton South East) Retained (held since Sep 2025)
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, President of the Board of Trade Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge & Hyde) Role expanded to absorb science & innovation
Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander (Swindon South) Retained (held since Nov 2024)
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Angela Eagle (Wallasey) Promoted to cabinet
Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy (Wigan) Retained (held since Jul 2024)
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Bryant (Rhondda & Ogmore) First cabinet post; moved from Business department
Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander (Lothian East) Retained (held since Sep 2025)
Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Kinnock (Aberafan Maesteg) Previously care minister
Leader of the House of Commons, Lord President of the Council Alan Campbell (Tynemouth) Retained (held since Sep 2025)
Leader of the House of Lords, Lord Privy Seal Baroness Smith of Basildon Retained (held since Jul 2024)
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip) Anneliese Midgley (Knowsley) Key figure in Burnham's leadership campaign
Minister for Women and Equalities Bridget Phillipson (Houghton & Sunderland South) Retained; no longer education secretary

Also Attending Cabinet

Role Appointee Notes
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds (Wycombe) Previously environment secretary
Attorney General for England and Wales, Advocate General for Northern Ireland Ellie Reeves (Lewisham West & East Dulwich) Sister of Rachel Reeves
Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence (jointly Cabinet Office and DBIST) Kanishka Narayan (Vale of Glamorgan) Previously online safety minister
Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations and European Relations (jointly FCDO and Cabinet Office) Hamish Falconer (Lincoln) Son of Lord Falconer
Minister of State for Housing and Planning Matthew Pennycook (Greenwich & Woolwich) Retained, now attends cabinet

Departures — Who's Out

Former Role Departing Minister
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves
Deputy Prime Minister & Justice Secretary David Lammy
Housing Secretary Steve Reed
Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Minister for Intergovernmental Relations Darren Jones
Business & Trade Secretary Peter Kyle
Science, Innovation & Technology Secretary Liz Kendall (department abolished)
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn
Wales Secretary Jo Stevens
Attorney General Lord (Richard) Hermer
Paymaster General & Minister for the Constitution Nick Thomas-Symonds
International Development Minister (attending cabinet) Jenny Chapman
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis (only weeks in post)
Energy Security & Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband (moved to Foreign Sec)
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper (moved to Health)

Official Statements

Andy Burnham (Prime Minister, first address outside No 10, 20 Jul 2026):

"Make this moment a circuit breaker for Britain" — pledging "the biggest changes in the last 40 years, a new political model and a new economic model."

Shabana Mahmood (Home Secretary, on asylum reforms):

Described the previous system as "out of control" after announcing sweeping changes to the UK's asylum system.


Sources


Generated via local-search skill (SearXNG) using the news-roundup template.


Live Updates (auto-watched)

20 Jul 2026 22:16 BST

20 Jul 2026 23:05 BST

20 Jul 2026 23:10 BST

20 Jul 2026 23:12 BST


Revision #1
Created 2026-08-21 11:40:05 UTC by Admin
Updated 2026-08-21 11:40:06 UTC by Admin