David Lammy has been appointed deputy prime minister and Yvette Cooper foreign secretary in a sweeping cabinet reshuffle triggered by the resignation of Angela Rayner. Rayner stepped down as deputy PM and housing secretary after the prime minister's ethics adviser found she breached the ministerial code over stamp duty underpayment on a seaside flat.
Shabana Mahmood moves from justice secretary to home secretary, replacing Cooper. Lammy also becomes justice secretary. Pat McFadden takes on work and pensions, absorbing Rayner's housing and communities brief, alongside skills from the Department for Education. The department will focus on growth and welfare changes.
Liz Kendall becomes science and technology secretary, Peter Kyle trade secretary, and Jonathan Reynolds chief whip. Steve Reed takes housing, with Emma Reynolds promoted to environment secretary. Douglas Alexander returns to cabinet as Scottish secretary. Wes Streeting and Bridget Phillipson retain their posts.
Lucy Powell was sacked as Commons leader, replaced by Sir Alan Campbell. Ian Murray also left government. Rachel Reeves remains chancellor, with Downing Street emphasising economic stability. The reshuffle means the three great offices of state beyond PM—home, foreign, and chancellor—are now held by women for the first time.
The changes follow a No 10 shake-up and reflect concern over Labour's polling and Reform UK's prominence. Mahmood is expected to tackle immigration and small boat arrivals. The reshuffle cements positions of ministers close to Starmer.
