Andy Burnham, who became Britain’s seventh Prime Minister in 10 years on Monday, has made the key appointments to his Cabinet.
In a surprise move, former defence secretary John Healey has been appointed Chancellor, replacing Rachel Reeves.
Ed Miliband or Shabana Mahmood had been widely expected to be given the role. Instead, Miliband, the former energy secretary, will replace Yvette Cooper as Foreign Secretary, while Mahmood will remain as Home Secretary. Cooper has been appointed Health Secretary.
Shorts
Meanwhile, Louise Haigh, who resigned as transport secretary in 2024 after admitting a fraud conviction involving a mobile phone 10 years earlier, has been promoted to Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office. She was a key advisor to Burnham during his Makerfield by-election campaign and Labour leadership bid.
