Andy Burnham has appointed equalities minister Bridget Phillipson as Labour Party chairwoman, tasking her with driving a "culture change" within the party and ensuring it stays focused on "delivering for working people". The appointment forms part of preparations for the next general election, with Phillipson's remit covering the modernisation of Labour's digital campaigning and the strengthening of the party's organisation, infrastructure and policy platform.

Phillipson, the Sunderland MP who previously served as Education Secretary under Sir Keir Starmer, retains her role as equalities minister while handing the education brief to Lucy Powell. During her time in education she oversaw the expansion of free breakfast clubs, changes to school inspections and efforts to reduce pupil absenteeism. Both Burnham and Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell welcomed the appointment, saying it would help build the party's ground operation and campaigning strength ahead of the next election.