Andy Burnham has begun his premiership with a sweeping reshuffle, appointing John Healey as chancellor in a surprise move and vowing to be a “circuit-breaker” for a country weary of political turnover. The overhaul sees Rachel Reeves and David Lammy removed from cabinet, alongside other loyalists of his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer, as Burnham seeks to stamp his own authority on government while promising to restore stability and public trust in politics.

Shabana Mahmood stays on as home secretary and Ed Miliband becomes foreign secretary, while Louise Haigh takes on first secretary of state and Cabinet Office minister; Angela Rayner returns as housing secretary and Wes Streeting moves to defence. In his first speech as prime minister, delivered after meeting King Charles, Burnham pledged to end rough sleeping, overhaul social care and reduce the welfare bill through job creation and council house building, while hinting at imminent measures to ease the cost of living, such as possible bus fare, rent or energy price relief.