Title

GENERAL ELECTION

Rayner named levelling up secretary

Angela Rayner has been named secretary of state for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

© Number 10/Crown copyright

© Number 10/Crown copyright

Angela Rayner has been named secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities.

Hers was the first appointment to be confirmed by the new Labour Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as he began forming his first cabinet following yesterday's landslide General Election victory.

Rayner, who will also hold the title of deputy prime minister, was widely expected to be appointed to the position in government having held the shadow role on the opposition benches.

She takes over from her Conservative counterpart Michael Gove, who decided not to stand for re-election.

Rachel Reeves has also been appointed as the country's first female chancellor and Yvette Cooper as home secretary.

Wes Streeting will take on the health and social care brief, and Bridget Phillipson has been named education secretary.

GENERAL ELECTION

Cherishing the value of public libraries

By Ivan Wadeson | 03 August 2026

Ivan Wadeson reflects on the importance of championing and cherishing libraries and what the new government leadership might mean for these crucial community...

GENERAL ELECTION

Why ask if you are going to ignore the answer?

By Heather Jameson | 30 July 2026

Emotional attachment to place was last on the list of ministers' priorities when setting borders for reorganisation, writes Heather Jameson.

GENERAL ELECTION

A mayor's journey shows why councils are essential partners in government

By Shabnum Mustapha | 30 July 2026

Shabnum Mustapha says Burnham’s mayoral experience highlights councils’ vital role in delivering national priorities.

GENERAL ELECTION

Norfolk urges Rayner to halt reorganisation as legal action launched

By Martin Ford | 29 July 2026

Norfolk CC has written to newly-appointed local government secretary Angela Rayner calling for her to halt reorganisation in the county.

Martin Ford

Popular articles by Martin Ford