Andy Burnham becomes 7th UK PM in a decade: Here's a look at his cabinet as Britain reels from political turmoil

Published 21 July 2026 · europe

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Monday (local time) took over as the country's latest premier after his predecessor, Keir Starmer, was made to step

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Monday (local time) took over as the country's latest premier after his predecessor, Keir Starmer, was made to step down last month. Burnham, who became the UK's seventh prime minister in a decade, was formally asked by King Charles III to form a government at Buckingham Palace earlier on Monday, which the former confirmed he had accepted. In his first speech on Monday, the new UK premier said, "We will make this moment a circuit breaker for Britain, bringing forward a new political model and a new economic model." He added, "[We will] build a new economy where we put life's essentials back under stronger public control to make them affordable again, reindustrializing Britain using public procurement to back British industry." Quick answers to key questions • 5 QUESTIONS 1 What does Andy Burnham's cabinet look like? ⌵ Andy Burnham's cabinet includes notable appointments such as John Healey as Chancellor, Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary, and Yvette Cooper as Health Secretary, among others. 2 Why did Andy Burnham emphasize a new economic model in his first speech? ⌵ Burnham stressed the need for a new economic model to address years of instability and to shift towards stronger public control over essentials, hoping to make them more affordable. 3 How does Burnham plan to tackle the cost-of-living crisis? ⌵ Burnham intends to announce new proposals to alleviate the cost-of-living pressures facing families, which he has prioritized as a key issue for his government. 4 Should the UK expect significant changes under Burnham's leadership? ⌵ Yes, Burnham has promised a 'circuit breaker' approach, advocating for major transformations in political and economic strategies to restore stability in the UK. 5 What priority does Burnham place on ending homelessness? ⌵ Burnham made ending rough sleeping a top priority, vowing to take immediate action to address homelessness in England as one of his first acts as Prime Minister.

Also Read | Andy Burnham Pledges Cost Of Living Solutions In FIRST Address As New UK PM As Burnham takes charge of the UK, here's a look at his cabinet: 1. John Healey: According to The Independent, Healey has been appointed as the chancellor in Burnham's cabinet. A longtime member of Labour's frontbench team, he held ministerial roles during the Tony Blair and Gordon Brown governments and later served in the shadow cabinets of Ed Miliband and Jeremy Corbyn. Healey will now lead the Treasury, a department that prompted his exit from the government in June. 2. Ed Miliband: Burnham has appointed Miliband as Foreign Secretary, marking his return to a senior frontline role after the Corbyn era. Miliband previously served as Energy Secretary in Keir Starmer's government. His appointment is seen as reflecting his experience in international diplomacy and engagement with foreign governments during his tenure overseeing energy policy. 3. Shabana Mahmood: Under Burnham's government, Mahmood will continue to serve as Home Secretary. In her role as Home Secretary, she led the previous government's work on establishing stricter migration controls. Mahmood, an Oxford-educated former barrister, previously served as Justice Secretary when Labour first came to power before being appointed Home Secretary. She is one of the first Muslim women elected to the House of Commons, having won the Birmingham Ladywood seat in 2010. 4. Louise Haigh: Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and First Secretary of State, Haigh became a prominent part of Burnham's plan to return to Westminster and enter Downing Street. According to the report, she is expected to lead Burnham's priorities for the UK government across the Whitehall machine, including the devolution agenda. She is also expected to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. Also Read | Starmer Strategist Leaves Downing Street After Two Weeks 5.