David Lammy appointed deputy UK PM in Labour reshuffle
David Lammy has been appointed the UK’s deputy prime minister and justice secretary while Yvette Cooper will take his place as foreign secretary, after a sweeping cabinet reshuffle on Friday.
Shabana Mahmood, outgoing justice secretary, will replace Cooper at the Home Office following Angela Rayner’s departure from government in the wake of a tax scandal.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has kept Rachel Reeves as chancellor.
Pat McFadden has been given the crucial work and pensions brief in the wake of a recent rebellion by Labour MPs against attempts to cut the welfare bill. His ministry will be expanded to include skills, which will be moved out of the Department of Education, according to people briefed on the move.
McFadden’s role overseeing the machinery of Whitehall will be taken by Darren Jones, who until Monday was chief secretary to the Treasury.
Liz Kendall, the former work and pensions secretary, will replace Peter Kyle at science and technology.
Steve Reed, who had been environment secretary, takes on Rayner’s post as housing secretary.
Rayner’s resignation from government and as deputy leader of the Labour party has deepened Starmer’s problems ahead of what is expected to be a tax-raising Budget in November.
The Labour MP admitted this week that she incorrectly paid a lower rate of stamp duty on the purchase of an ￡800,000 flat in Hove, East Sussex.
Sir Laurie Magnus, Starmer’s ethics adviser, concluded in a report submitted on Friday that, because of Rayner’s “unfortunate failure” to settle her tax liability, she had not met the “highest possible standards of proper conduct”.
Douglas Alexander appointed secretary of state for Scotland
Douglas Alexander has been appointed secretary of state for Scotland as Labour prepares for a bruising campaign ahead of Holyrood parliamentary elections in May.
The MP for Lothian East, who is moving from a dual position at the cabinet office and department for business and trade, was last week appointed co-chair of the election campaign alongside deputy Scottish Labour leader, Jackie Baillie. He has extensive ministerial experience, dating back to the cabinets of former prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
The appointment of the politician was welcomed by some Labour insiders seeking to bolster their ranks as they prepare to take on the Scottish National party, which has been in power at Holyrood for almost two decades.
Who’s going where — the list in full
Sir Keir Starmer’s sweeping cabinet reshuffle, triggered by Angela Rayner’s resignation, has concluded.
Jonathan Reynolds, former trade minister, has been appointed Labour’s chief whip, while Emma Reynolds has been appointed environment and agriculture minister. Douglas Alexander has been appointed secretary of state for Scotland.
The full list of ministers’ new roles is here:
David Lammy — secretary of state for justice and deputy prime minister
Darren Jones — Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. He will remain chief secretary to the Prime Minister
Yvette Cooper — foreign secretary
Shabana Mahmood — home secretary
Steve Reed — housing, communities and local government minister
Pat McFadden — work and pensions secretary
Peter Kyle — business secretary and president of the Board of Trade
Liz Kendall — science, innovation and technology minister
Emma Reynolds — secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs
Douglas Alexander — secretary of state for Scotland
Jonathan Reynolds — parliamentary secretary to the Treasury (chief whip).
Sir Alan Campbell — Lord President of the Council, and leader of the House of Commons. He will attend Cabinet