Andy Burnham promises to be ‘circuit-breaker’ PM as he purges cabinet
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.
In short
- Burnham names John Healey as chancellor in cabinet shake-up
- Reeves and Lammy sacked; Mahmood and Miliband switch or retain roles
- Burnham vows to tackle rough sleeping, welfare and cost of living
Explained simply
Andy Burnham has become Prime Minister after Sir Keir Starmer, taking office at a time when the country has experienced frequent changes in leadership. He has pledged to bring stability to the country in his new role.
As part of establishing his authority as Prime Minister, Burnham has restructured his cabinet. This involved appointing new ministers to top positions and replacing others who were closely associated with his predecessor's administration, a typical step taken by incoming Prime Ministers who wish to set their own direction.
The Prime Minister has set out several policy goals including ending rough sleeping, overhauling social care and reducing welfare spending through job creation and council house building. He has also hinted that he may soon introduce measures to help households with the cost of living, such as reductions in bus fares, energy prices or rents.
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