Live updates: All the new appointments in Starmer’s top team as Rayner resignation triggers Cabinet reshuffle
David Lammy has been named the new deputy prime minister as part of Sir Keir Starmer's Cabinet reshuffle following Angela Rayner's departure.
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Ms Rayner resigned from the government after underpaying £40,000 in stamp duty on a flat she bought - leading the Prime Minister to make major changes to his top team for the first time.
She stepped down after Sir Keir's ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, found that she broke the ministerial code by underpaying stamp duty on her £800,000 seaside flat.
In her resignation letter, the former deputy PM said she 'deeply regrets' not seeking specialist tax advice. Sir Keir said he is ‘very sad’ about her resignation, but said she will “remain an important figure” in the Labour Party.
Mr Lammy's appointment means he will leave his role as foreign secretary, which will now be filled by Yvette Cooper.
She is currently home secretary and that role has been taken by Shabana Mahmood, who has departed as justice secretary - to make way for Mr Lammy to also fill that post.
Pat McFadden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, will take charge of a so-called super ministry that will combine elements of the work and pensions, and education portfolios.
Follow live for the latest updates on this developing story.
Welcome to our live coverage
For those who are just joining us, here is a recap of the latest developments.
- Angela Rayner has quit the government.
- She has left all her roles, which means Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will have to appoint a new deputy Prime Minister, Housing Secretary, and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.
- It comes after the standards adviser said Ms Rayner breached the ministerial code by failing to pay a £40,000 tax surcharge on a flat she bought.
- A cabinet reshuffle has now taken place, with David Lammy becoming the new deputy prime minister.
- Lammy has also been named justice secretary, taking over from Shabana Mahmood - who is new home secretary.
- Current home secretary Yvette Cooper will now fill Mr Lammy's role as foreign secretary.
- Pat McFadden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, will take charge of a so-called super ministry that will combine elements of the work and pensions, and education portfolios.
The full list of ministers who are changing roles
Downing Street has just released the full list of all the cabinet changes. Here it is:
- David Lammy becomes justice secretary and deputy PM
- Darren Jones becomes chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and keeps his other role as chief secretary to the PM
- Yvette Cooper becomes foreign secretary
- Shabana Mahmood becomes homes secretary
- Steve Reed becomes housing secretary
- Pat McFadden becomes work and pensions secretary
- Peter Kyle takes on the role of business and trade secretary
- Liz Kendall becomes the new science secretary
- Emma Reynolds becomes the environment secretary
- Douglas Alexander becomes the Scotland secretary
- Jonathan Reynolds becomes chief whip and will attend cabinet
- Sir Alan Campbell becomes leader of the House of Commons and lord president of the council
Labour MP: Angela Rayner Had "No Choice" But to Resign in "Huge Blow" to Labour Left
Andy McDonald says Angela Rayner didn't have "any choice" but to resign from the deputy leader position.
The MP added that her departure is a "huge blow" for the Labour left and praised the former deputy prime minister's work - highlighting her expansion of workers' right, lowering the voting age to 16 and building on English devolution.
He told Sky News that "we'll all be surprised" who comes forward to try and win the upcoming election to be the next deputy leader of the Labour Party.
Badenoch: "The PM is shuffling deckchairs around on his sinking government"
Kemi Badenoch has offered her views on the latest Government reshuffle and claimed the move will be an "enormous distraction from the problems facing Britain".
"He was too weak to fire the Deputy Prime Minister, even after he was told she broke the Ministerial Code, and now he's shuffling deckchairs around on his sinking government," the leader of the opposition said.
No more Cabinet changes expected tonight
Reports suggest there will be no more appointments tonight.
But Sir Keir Starmer's wider team is expected to be reshuffled in the coming days
David Lammy "honoured" to be deputy prime minister
The new deputy prime minister has just provided his reaction to the news of his appointment as Angela Rayner's successor.
Writing on X, Lammy said: "It is the honour of my life to be appointed Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary by Keir Starmer.
"Ever since I was a boy growing up in Tottenham, I’ve been determined to help make this country fairer, safer and better off."
Lammy also praised Rayner for the "tremendous job" she did in government.
Yvette Cooper arrives at Downing Street
Newly-appointed foreign secretary Yvette Cooper has arrived at No 10 after travelling from her constituency in Yorkshire.
Her appointment means the UK has now had no fewer than six foreign secretaries in the last five years.
Shabana Mahmood arrives at Downing Street
The new home secretary arrived at Downing Street this evening after being promoted from justice secretary.
Bridget Phillipson sees her role as education secretary reduced
The final key announcement from No 10 is that Bridget Phillipson will remain as education secretary, but without the skills responsibilities.
That element of her remit has been gifted to Pat McFadden, who is now in charge of a so-called 'super ministry', that will also include the DWP.
Downing Street confirms three ministers have been axed
Alongside the ministerial changes, Downing Street has also confirmed that three former Cabinet members have left government.
That trio are Angela Rayner, Lucy Powell and Ian Murray.