UK premier appoints key figures in mini-reshuffle as government enters 'second phase'

LONDON

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed several new ministers and advisers in a mini-reshuffle as MPs return from the summer break.

Darren Jones, previously Treasury chief secretary, becomes chief secretary to the prime minister, a new role that includes attending Cabinet and "directly oversee work across the government to support the delivery of the prime minister’s priorities."

James Murray takes over as Treasury chief secretary, acting as deputy to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, while Dan Tomlinson replaces Murray as Treasury exchequer secretary.

Starmer also appointed Baroness Minouche Shafik, an economist and former president of Columbia University, as his chief economic adviser to strengthen economic expertise ahead of the autumn budget.

In communications, Tim Allan, a former adviser to Tony Blair, becomes the government’s executive director of communications, replacing James Lyons, who said his role "was never intended as a long haul."

No. 10 described the changes as a move into a “second phase” of government.

“Phase one of this government was about fixing the foundations and the second phase has to be about a relentless focus on delivery,” Starmer’s team said.