Keir Starmer overhauls his cabinet with a big reshuffle after deputy PM resigns in tax scandal

Angela Rayner’s resignation after underpaying stamp duty has been followed by 11 cabinet changes.

LAST UPDATE | 5 Sep 2025

UK PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer has announced a major cabinet reshuffle in the wake of the resignation of his deputy prime minister Angela Rayner earlier today.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has been moved to the role of Justice Secretary and will also take over from Rayner as deputy prime minister, while Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will take up Lammy’s foreign affairs brief.

In total, Starmer’s office announced 11 changes to his cabinet this evening.

newly-appointed-justice-secretary-and-deputy-prime-minister-david-lammy-arrives-in-downing-street-london-where-prime-minister-sir-keir-starmer-is-reshuffling-his-cabinet-following-the-resignation David Lammy arriving at Downing Street earlier. He was appointed Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister following Rayner's resignation. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Shabana Mahmod is set to take over from Cooper as home secretary.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris congratulated Cooper on her appointment in a statement issued this evening.

“I look forward to working with her, not least to deliver on our ambitious plans for foreign and security policy cooperation as part of the Ireland-UK Joint Statement 2030,” Harris said.

“In a turbulent geo-political environment, Yvette’s extensive experience, political and diplomatic skills, and strong record of delivery will be deeply valuable.”

Harris also paid tribute to Lammy and congratulated him, wishing him the best in his new role.

Rayner resigns

Rayner resigned today in the face of mounting pressure that came after admitting she underpaid stamp duty on a flat she bought in Hove earlier this year.

Rayner paid £40,000 less of the surcharge on the property than she should have, as she claimed it was her main home rather than a second home.

newly-appointed-foreign-secretary-yvette-cooper-arrives-in-downing-street-london-where-prime-minister-sir-keir-starmer-is-reshuffling-his-cabinet-following-the-resignation-of-angela-rayner-picture Yvette Cooper at Downing Street today. She was appointed Foreign Secretary. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

An independent ethics probe into the Deputy Prime Minister’s tax affairs has reported back ahead of the weekend on whether she broke ministerial standards rules.

Lawyers she blamed for her stamp duty underpayment denied having given her tax advice.

Starmer had repeatedly declined to say whether he would sack his deputy, who was also the Housing Secretary, if his independent ethics watchdog rules against her.

With reporting from David Mac Redmond and Press Association