The New Burnham Cabinet: Who’s in and Why it Matters

By Eva Quinn

Less than two hours into his premiership, Andy Burnham wasted no time stamping his authority on government, sacking ministers and unveiling a cabinet of his own. So, who is the new cabinet and why is it relevant to the public? 

The first, and most shocking minister revealed was John Healey. The former Defence Minister was not on the media’s radar to predict as chancellor, with many expecting Ed Miliband to take the position. However, “senior figures in government say he shares Burnham’s ambitions for reindustrialisation and devolution. He now faces the task of making the government’s spending plans add up.” [1]

Next to be announced was Louise Haigh, the new Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Haigh, one of Burnham’s closest allies, has taken her first ministerial role and will oversee the co-ordination of the government’s policies and the delivery of its agenda. After entering politics in 2015, Haigh was immediately spotted as the hardest-working MP and was recognised and praised by Speaker John Bercow for her “terrier-like intensity.” “On the backbenches she emerged as a crucial power broker on Labour’s “soft left” and was at the heart of the huge rebellion that scuppered the government’s welfare cuts in 2025.” [1]

Furthermore, surprisingly, Ed Miliband was selected as Foreign Secretary. It was obvious that Miliband would move higher in the cabinet from Energy Secretary; however, many were shocked that it was not to Chancellor. However, his support was varied among MPs, with many distrusting his views, particularly in energy. “Since the election, he has spoken out against those urging the government to drop its net zero ambitions and insisted the party’s green power transition will help secure social justice and national security.” [1]

Moreover, Shabana Mahmood keeps her position as Home Secretary. With a hardline view on immigration, Mahmood is responsible for that brief in the role, alongside national security and policing in England and Wales. When first appointed as Home Secretary, she announced sweeping changes to the UK’s asylum system, brushing off criticism from some Labour MPs and describing the previous system as “out of control”. [1] 

In addition to this, Wes Streeting has made a return to cabinet as Defence Secretary, replacing Dan Jarvis, who had only been in the role for weeks. Streeting, who resigned as Health Secretary in May, had lost confidence in Keir Starmer as leader, backing Burnham instead of launching his own leadership campaign. “The Ilford North MP has said his upbringing left him “quite cynical” of the role of the state compared with many Labour colleagues, aware of its failings as well as its potential to enable opportunity.” [1]

Remaining in the cabinet is Yvette Cooper, who is the new Health Minister. The former Foreign Secretary has also served as Home Secretary, re-entering the cabinet with extensive experience. “Among other firsts in her political career, the former journalist became the first minister to take maternity leave, and she was one half of the first married couple in the cabinet – alongside her husband, former education secretary and Strictly Come Dancing contestant, Ed Balls.” [1]

The final significant minister announced was Angela Rayner, who is returning to the cabinet as the Housing Minister after resigning over tax scandals under Starmer. Rayner comes with a convoluted background, diverging from other Ministers she is working alongside. After becoming pregnant at 16, Rayner started her career as a care worker before becoming the MP for Ashton-Under-Lyne in 2015. After the purchase of a flat in May 2025 was accompanied by the underpayment of Stamp Duty, Rayner was found to have broken the ministerial code after an investigation by the then Prime Minister’s independent ethics advisor, which led to her stepping down from both the role of Housing Secretary and as Sir Keir Starmer’s Deputy Prime Minister. [1]

With his cabinet now in place, Andy Burnham has wasted little time in signalling the direction he wants his government to take. The appointments mark the beginning of a new chapter, but the real test will come in how this team delivers on its promises in the months ahead. As the new cabinet settles into its roles, all eyes will be on the decisions they make and the impact they have, with many eager to see what this new government has in store.

References:

The Visual Journalism team (2026). Who’s in Andy Burnham’s cabinet? BBC News. [online] 20 July. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg4we9g58do?app-referrer=deep-link