Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has defended the composition of Prime Minister Andy Burnham's new Cabinet, pushing back against suggestions that the predominance of northern MPs could create a north-south divide. Reynolds, who represents Stalybridge and Hyde in Tameside, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that he does not accept any regional bias.
“No, there isn’t,” Reynolds said when asked about the risk of a divide. “I don’t want to get touchy about it, but I can’t remember previous occasions where people have objected to too many people from a different part of the country being in there.” He added that the number of Cabinet ministers from Greater Manchester remains the same as at the start of the Labour government in 2024.
Cabinet Make-up and Northern Representation
Burnham, the Makerfield MP, unveiled his Cabinet on Monday (July 20) after entering Downing Street and promising a 10-year plan for Britain. The majority of his ministers are based in the north of England, including four Greater Manchester MPs: Reynolds, Lucy Powell (Manchester Central), Angela Rayner (Ashton-under-Lyne), and Lisa Nandy (Wigan). Powell has been named deputy Prime Minister and Education Secretary, replacing David Lammy. Rayner, the former deputy prime minister, returns as Housing Secretary after being cleared by HMRC over her tax affairs. Nandy remains Culture Secretary.
Reynolds emphasised Burnham’s commitment to the entire UK: “I do accept very much that this is a Prime Minister determined to make the economy work, the country work, for every single part of the UK.”
Key Cabinet Appointments and First Meeting
Burnham chaired the first meeting of his new Cabinet on Tuesday. The session followed his announcement of a VAT cut on energy bills from October 1, his first major policy since taking office. A notable appointment is John Healey as Chancellor, replacing Rachel Reeves. Healey recently resigned as Defence Secretary under Sir Keir Starmer, citing insufficient funding for defence.
Former British Army head Lord Dannatt praised Healey’s appointment, calling it “a masterstroke” and describing him as “poacher turned gamekeeper.” Dannatt told Times Radio: “John Healey, as we all know, resigned not that long ago, having said that the previous prime minister was unable to produce the funding that defence needed – and the previous chancellor was unwilling – so now he is the one behind the desk in Number 11, and has really got to answer his own question.” He added: “There’s no one that knows better than John Healey just what defence needs, and I think he’ll give it his best shot possible to try and find the money that he knows the nation needs to keep this country safe.”
Full Cabinet List
Burnham’s Cabinet includes: Chancellor John Healey; Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband; Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood; First Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office Louise Haigh; Health Secretary Yvette Cooper; Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden; Housing Secretary Angela Rayner; Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds; Education Secretary Lucy Powell; Chief Whip Anneliese Midgley; Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson; Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy; Defence Secretary Wes Streeting; Justice Secretary Alex Norris; Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle; Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh; Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander; Welsh Secretary Stephen Kinnock; Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant; Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander; Commons Leader Sir Alan Campbell; Lords Leader Baroness Smith of Basildon; Attorney General Ellie Reeves (attends Cabinet); Chief Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds (attends Cabinet); AI minister Kanishka Narayan (attends Cabinet); Intergovernmental and European relations minister Hamish Falconer (attends Cabinet); and Housing minister Matthew Pennycook (attends Cabinet).
