Andy Burnham Reshuffles Cabinet with New Defence and Treasury Chiefs

Prime Minister Andy Burnham reshuffled his cabinet on July 20, 2026, appointing John Healey as Chancellor of the Exchequer and Wes Streeting as Defence Secretary.

Healey, a former defence secretary, replaces Rachel Reeves as Chancellor. He is tasked with funding public control of utilities and increased defence spending while adhering to Burnham's pledge not to raise VAT, national insurance, or income tax. The appointment follows a period of tension between Healey and Reeves, during which Healey resigned in protest after his request for an additional £28 billion for defence investment was rejected.

Streeting, previously the Health Secretary, replaces Dan Jarvis as Defence Secretary. The appointment has drawn criticism from those who argue Streeting lacks the necessary credentials to lead the Ministry of Defence amid heightened threats from Russia. Some reports suggest the move was a political maneuver by Burnham to prevent high-profile party figures from challenging his leadership, while others indicate that Reeves had been considered for the role before Streeting was selected.