Raft of Yorkshire MPs get ministerial promotions under Andy Burnham
Andy Burnham has appointed a number of junior ministers, but the reshuffle goes on.
Andy Burnham has almost finished putting together his ministerial team, largely keeping familiar faces from the Starmer premiership in junior roles.
The incoming Prime Minister has moved several people who lost out in his Cabinet reshuffle back to their previous roles.
Barnsley North MP Dan Jarvis, who stepped in as Sir Keir’s defence secretary when John Healey resigned amid a funding row, has been returned to his previous post of Security Minister.
The decorated former paratrooper said: “It’s been an immense honour to serve as Defence Secretary and again be amongst those who give everything to defend our nation.
“We owe them a huge debt of gratitude — and they will always have my absolute support. I wish my successor every success in this vital role.”
On his appointment as Security Minister, he merely added: “Back to work.”
Leeds North West MP Katie White was promoted to Minister of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Ms White, who helped pass the Climate Act back in 2008 and has an OBE for tackling climate change, had previously been Climate Minister under Ed Miliband.
She said: “Growing up in Yorkshire taught me how much people care about the places they call home, and that's exactly why I'm so excited to be taking on this new role.
“Climate isn't something that happens somewhere else. It's the flooded roads after heavy rain, children trying to learn in sweltering classrooms, patients and NHS staff coping in overheated hospitals, the food and water security we can't take for granted, and the businesses across Yorkshire building the technologies the world wants to buy.
“Yorkshire has always helped power Britain. I want to make sure we're leading again, creating the jobs, backing the innovators and building a more resilient Britain for the next generation.”
Halifax MP Kate Dearden was also promoted to Future of Work Minister within the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
She said: “Britain, and its workers, must seize the opportunities of innovation. I’m looking forward to building on what we’ve already started.”
Dame Diana Johnson, the Hull North MP who was previously in the Home Office and Department for Work and Pensions, has been moved to assist Yvette Cooper in Health and Social Care.
She said: “Improving all aspects of our National Health Service is a key part of the change Labour promised in 2024 and I know that reform of social care is a priority for the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
“I also value our committed NHS workforce around the country and have a well-known record of campaigning on issues around accountability and our obligation to those who entrust the NHS with their well-being.”
Dame Diana previously worked with Mr Burnham to help get an inquiry launched into the infected blood scandal in 2017.
Hull West and Haltemprice MP Emma Hardy was also promoted to Minister of State in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs where she previously served as Water Minister.