Andy Burnham Cabinet picks – live: Healey named as Chancellor and Miliband Foreign Secretary

Andy Burnham Cabinet – live: Miliband and Healey handed top jobs and PM sticks with Mahmood for Home Office Andy Burnham has made several changes to his Cabinet — with the experienced John Healey, who quit recently under Keir Starmer's tenure, returning as Chancellor of the Exchequer Andy Burnham has made his first Cabinet appointments — opting for John Healey as his Chancellor and Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary. Mr Healey replaces Rachel Reeves in the post with the latter confirming her departure from the Cabinet on social media this afternoon. David Lammy has also gone, vacating the deputy prime minister post, a role to which he was appointed by Keir Starmer last year. Mr Miliband has been appointed Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. He takes over from Yvette Cooper as Foreign Secretary in Mr Burnham's Cabinet. Mr Miliband, who also served as leader of the Labour Party from 2010 to 2015, was energy secretary in Mr Starmer's government. Other major figures from the Starmer era have been sacked, including Peter Kyle who was Business Secretary. His replacement is yet to be confirmed. Mr Healey, however, recently resigned as Mr Starmer’s defence secretary in a row over military funding. But Shabana Mahmood has been reappointed Home Secretary by Mr Burnham. Ms Mahmood, MP for Ladywood, Birmingham, first took on the role in September 2025, replacing Ms Cooper in Mr Starmer's first reshuffle. Talking today without a lectern or notes, in a huge move away from tradition, Mr Burnham, 56, spoke for 10 minutes and used the opportunity to outline his vision for the UK. He made several vows, stressing his first action will be to set out a plan to end rough sleeping. Minutes after this vow though, his Housing Secretary - Steve Reed OBE - quit. For updates on Andy Burnham becoming prime minister, follow our live blog below Key Events The Mirror's Lizzy Buchan writes... Ex-Defence Sec John Healey who quit over defence spending handed control of the purse strings. His record on housing, both as a minister, and at the MOD is understood to have been a key factor for the PM, who wants to deliver an ambitious council house building programme. They share similar views on deindustrialisation, devolution, cost of living etc Healey also held ministerial roles in the Treasury under Gordon Brown, and is well-respected internationally. Shabana Mahmood has been reappointed as Home Secretary under Andy Burnham. She is one of the few members of Keir Starmer's Cabinet to retain their role in government. This is the moment Yvette Cooper arrived at Downing Street. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has arrived at No10 amid Andy Burnham's selection for his new cabinet. This is the moment Andy Burnham appointed John Healey as Chancellor. Nick Thomas-Symonds has said he will leave his post as the EU relations minister and paymaster general. In a letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, he said: “I will support the new team of ministers from the backbenches and continue to serve the people of my home constituency of Torfaen, who, as always, remain my top priority.” John Healey has been named Chancellor in Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first Cabinet appointment. Foreign Office minister Baroness Jenny Chapman of Darlington said she is leaving the Government, as she said cutting the aid budget had been “challenging” and required “much soul searching”. Lady Chapman, who held a brief that covered international development and Latin America, said she would “always” be proud to have served in Sir Keir Starmer’s government. She said: “It’s been a great honour to serve as international development minister, and in Keir Starmer’s cabinet. “I’m disappointed to be leaving but wish the Prime Minister and his new team every success. “Cutting the aid budget has been challenging and has required much soul searching, but I passionately believe thanks to the work we’ve done, we’re spending the money better than ever before. “We have a modern strategy and approach, working in partnership with developing countries rather than in a paternalistic way, and keeping strong commitments on global health and humanitarian aid.” She added: “The UK is once again a force for good internationally.” Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn has announced he is leaving the role. In a statement on the social media platform X, Mr Benn said: “It has been a great privilege to serve as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and to work with the many wonderful people I have met over the last 2 years. “I wish my successor all the very best in working with the Executive to protect stability, continuing to generate growth and investment and in taking forward the Troubles Bill which is so important for so many families. “The Prime Minister will have my full support from the backbenches.” Hilary Benn is leaving his role as secretary of state for Northern Ireland, saying Prime Minister Andy Burnham would have his support from the backbenches. Andy Burnham congratulated Donald Trump on the Fifa World Cup during their first phone call, and said he hoped he could show the US president around Manchester during a future visit. A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, shortly after taking office this afternoon. “The Prime Minister began by congratulating the president on a successful World Cup and agreed that England had an excellent tournament. “The Prime Minister also hoped that he would be able to show the president what Manchester had to offer during a visit in the future. “Setting out his vision as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister said he would be focused on ensuring reindustrialisation up and down the country to ensure good growth in every postcode. “The Prime Minister also underlined his commitment to defence and security and said ensuring the security of the UK and its allies was at the top of his agenda. “The president then updated on the situation in the Middle East, and the Prime Minister outlined the UK’s commitment to securing the movement of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz to support global supply chains and drive down costs for businesses and families across the country.” The Mirror's David Burke writes in... Andy Burnham has told Donald Trump he wants to show him what Manchester has to offer in future. In his first conversation with the US President, the Prime Minister talked up the city. It comes weeks after Trump described Mr Burnham as the "leader of a town" during an Oval Office briefing. A readout sent by No10 also revealed the two had discussed the World Cup, which concluded last night. A Downing Street statement said: "The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, shortly after taking office this afternoon. "The Prime Minister began by congratulating the President on a successful World Cup and agreed that England had an excellent tournament. "The Prime Minister also hoped that he would be able to show the President what Manchester had to offer during a visit in the future. "Setting out his vision as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister said he would be focused on ensuring reindustrialisation up and down the country to ensure good growth in every postcode. "The Prime Minister also underlined his commitment to defence and security and said ensuring the security of the UK and its Allies was at the top of his agenda." The two leaders also discussed the Strait of Hormuz, the key shipping route which has been effectively closed due to the conflict in Iran. The statement concluded: "The President then updated on the situation in the Middle East, and the Prime Minister outlined the UK's commitment to securing the movement of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz to support global supply chains and drive down costs for businesses and families across the country. They looked forward to speaking again soon." Andy Burnham has spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian President said on X/Twitter: "I was happy to speak with Andy Burnham @andyburnham and congratulate him on taking office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. "I truly appreciate that the support for Ukraine and our people will remain steadfast. Thank you for your warm words of respect for the Ukrainian people and for your condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed in Russia's recent attacks. "Ukraine and the United Kingdom have built the strongest partnership in the history of relations between our two countries, and we will certainly continue working to expand it even further. We agreed to discuss our future cooperation, including our work within the Anti-Ballistic Coalition, during a meeting in the near future. Thank you, Andy. Thank you, Britain!" Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood, who had both been the subject of speculation they could become chancellor, walked into No 10 together. Former defence secretary John Healey was the first person to enter No 10, indicating he could be in line for a senior role. Andy Burnham has shared part of his speech on social media, where he spoke about bringing back hope into British politics. Sir Keir Starmer’s chief secretary Darren Jones has said he “won’t be a part of” Andy Burnham’s Cabinet. He wrote on X: “From the campaign trail and the TV studios to the Treasury, No 10 and the Cabinet Office – it’s been a privilege to be in the cabinet of a Labour Government and to serve the country. “Andy Burnham has called to tell me I won’t be a part of his new Cabinet. “I wish him and his team every success.” Mr Jones was chief secretary to the prime minister and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, having previously been chief secretary to the Treasury. Darren Jones, who served as chief secretary to former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, has said Andy Burnham told him that he “won’t be a part of his new cabinet”. Ex-defence secretary John Healey, who resigned from Sir Keir Starmer’s cabinet in a row over money for the armed forces, has walked into Number 10. Jo Stevens has signalled she will no longer be the secretary of state for Wales, as she wished her successor “the very best”. Ms Stevens began a statement, posted to X, by saying: “Serving as the Labour Party’s first Secretary of State for Wales for the last two years has been a privilege and an honour.” She added: “Wales has seen the biggest budget settlement for our public services in the history of devolution, our steel industry saved and transformed for the future, the largest public investment in Wales in history through new nuclear at Wylfa, a generational commitment of £14 billion for our Welsh railways, the best local growth fund settlement of any of the UK nations and so much more.” The outgoing Cabinet minister later said: “I wish the new Prime Minister (Andy Burnham) and my successor the very best in their new roles and know that they will do a great job, alongside our new Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates, in delivering for the people of Wales.” Ms Stevens said former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer “leaves with the country in a much better place than he found it”. Government borrowing costs lifted higher and the value of the pound weakened after Andy Burnham became Prime Minister on Monday. The yield on 10-year Government bonds, called gilts, moved eight basis points higher to 5.049 per cent at the end of London trading. They had been largely steady after the new Prime Minister took over the role but lifted after he told reporters he would use “any flexibility” he could find within the existing fiscal rules. The value of gilts decrease as the yield on them increases. Meanwhile, the value of the pound slipped by 0.29 per cent to 1.341 against the US dollar, having been positive throughout most of the day’s trading. The FTSE 100 finished 0.71 per cent lower at 10,524.76 points at the close. Jo Stevens said she is no longer the secretary of state for Wales under Andy Burnham. Liz Kendall has lost her job as technology secretary in Andy Burnham’s Government. In a letter posted to X, she wrote: “At both the Department of Work and Pensions and the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology I have had the chance to change lives for the better, delivering greater equality and expanding opportunity to build a better future for all.” She said she had been “proud to stand up to Elon Musk and Grok, ban nudification apps and help make the online world safer for women and girls”. Ms Kendall also said: “I wish whoever takes on the science and technology portfolio the very best for the future. She or he is fortunate to be overseeing, what is to my mind, the most exciting and transformative brief in government. “They will do so under the leadership of our new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who I know will take this country from strength to strength. I stand ready to support him in any way I can.” She concluded by saying she would “continue to serve the people of Leicester West as their MP and work to ensure this Labour government delivers the change it promised”. Liz Kendall is leaving the Cabinet, saying she wishes “whoever takes on the science and technology portfolio the very best”. Sir Keir Starmer’s attorney general Lord Richard Hermer will not continue in the role in Andy Burnham’s Cabinet. He said in a post on BlueSky that it has been “the privilege of my life” to serve in the post for the last two years, adding he was especially proud of the Hillsborough Law and rebuilding the UK’s reputation abroad. “I will continue to support this Labour government from the backbenches, as it delivers the change this country desperately needs. “Andy and his team know they have my utmost support, and I wish them nothing but success.” Andy Burnham has left the door open to cutting income tax for lower earners as he pledges help for people squeezed by the cost of living. The new Prime Minister is expected to hit the ground running with a policy blitz in the coming days, including a package of measures to help struggling Brits to be unveiled on Tuesday. He signalled he was looking at increasing the amount people can earn before they have to pay income tax but said a decision would be taken in the Budget. And he refused to rule out introducing a 50p tax rate. Speaking to reporters shortly after entering No10, Mr Burnham said he would look at issues like rent controls, energy bill support and capping bus fares to help hard-pressed families, but said no final decisions had been taken. He also said he was determined to grip the crisis-hit social care system, saying: "We need to face it and fix it." The PM spoke to reporters shortly after delivering his first speech to the nation from outside Downing Street, where he promised a "circuit breaker for Britain" with a 10-year plan to fix deep-rooted problems. Flanked by cheering supporters, he stopped to hug his mum Eileen before he made his way in through the famous black door with his wife Marie-France van Heel. READ MORE: Andy Burnham leaves door open to income tax cut for lower earners as he pledges cost of living blitz Keir Starmer’s attorney general Lord Richard Hermer has confirmed he is leaving the Cabinet, saying he will support Andy Burnham’s Labour government from the backbenches. Steve Rotheram, mayor for the Liverpool City Region, recounts his experience with Andy Burnham... Ten years ago, Andy Burnham made one of the biggest decisions of his life over a pint. We were sitting together in a pub in London, talking about politics, the future of the North and where Labour needed to go next. At the time, walking away from Westminster to become Mayor of Greater Manchester looked like a massive gamble. It was. Plenty thought he was stepping off the path to the very top, asking how leading the devolution agenda could ever become more important than anything in Westminster. Last week, we shared another pint. Only this time Andy had just been elected back to Parliament and was preparing to become Prime Minister. Life has a funny way of coming full circle. READ MORE: 'I was with Andy Burnham outside No10 with my first grandchild - here's what type of PM he'll be' Rachel Reeves has announced she is out Chancellor. In a post shared to X/Twitter, she said: "It has been the privilege of my life to serve as the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The economy today is stronger, fairer and more resilient because of the choices we have taken as a Labour Government over the past two years. "Stability restored, investment delivered and reform to our economy under way. I said when I was appointed Chancellor that I would judge my time in office if the lives ordinary working class people have been improved. I’m proud to say that they have. "And to every young woman and girl let my time in office show there should be no ceilings on your ambitions, your hopes or your dreams. I wish the very best of luck to my successor, Andy and his cabinet. "You have my full support, and I will continue to play my part in helping this Labour government deliver the change the country needs." Rachel Reeves has lost her job as Chancellor in Andy Burnham’s Government, she said on social media. David Lammy shared his resignation letter on social media following Burnham becoming PM. In a post shared to X/Twitter, he said: "It has been the greatest privilege of my life, coming from humble beginnings in Tottenham, to serve in government as @Keir_Starmer’s Foreign Secretary, Justice Secretary and Britain’s first Black Deputy Prime Minister. "I am immensely proud of what we achieved, in Opposition and in Government. As Foreign Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister, I helped rebuild Britain’s relationships with our European allies after the catastrophic Brexit years, stood steadfastly with Ukraine in its darkest hours, championed a new partnership of equals with the Global South and was proud to play a leading role in Britain’s recognition of the State of Palestine. "I worked to secure the Special Relationship with the United States in a new era and deepened our partnerships with the Gulf and India to deliver trade, growth and security for the British people. As Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor, I put record investment in our courts to begin stabilising the backlog for victims left waiting too long for justice, put in changes to take our prisons back from the brink to prevent a collapse in prison capacity ever again, put massive investment in the probation service and victims and helped deliver the Hillsborough Law. "I also put in place a new approach to improving the diversity of our judiciary and made the Ministry of Justice a Whitehall leader in harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence. I would have been proud to continue serving in Cabinet. But a new Prime Minister is entitled to build his own team, and I wish @AndyBurnham and the new Cabinet every success. "I will continue to serve the great people of Tottenham, support this Labour government from the backbenches and do everything I can to help defeat Reform again at the next general election."