The new UK cabinet under the new PM sees a big shuffle around, with some surprise appointments and the return of old faces
On the second day with a new PM, several MP’s have been given a spot in Andy Burnham’s cabinet.
Here, we go over some of the appointments that will be important to the construction industry moving forward.
John Healey: Chancellor of the exchequer
Formerly the defence secretary under Keir Starmer’s government, Healey resigned nearly two months ago and made a statement against the Treasury, which he said suffered from a “Treasury orthodoxy that’s a dead hand on dynamic government.”
This is perhaps the biggest surprise in the new UK cabinet, as many had either Ed Miliband or Shabana Mahmood as favourites for the role.
As chancellor, we will likely be hearing a lot from Healey regarding funding, investments, and other financial matters.
Angela Rayner: Housing secretary
Another somewhat surprising appointment is the reinstatement of Rayner as secretary of state for housing, communities and local government.
Under the previous PM, Rayner held this role as well as the role of deputy prime minister, until the PM’s ethics adviser found that Rayner had broken the ministerial code when she underpaid stamp duty in May 2025. She then resigned from both her roles, acting only as MP for Ashton-under-Lyne.
Now, she is taking the reins again, having settled her tax affairs, and is expected to make a statement in the near future.
Miatta Fahnbulleh: Energy secretary
Replacing Ed Miliband as the secretary for energy security and net zero, Fahnbulleh previously served as the junior communities minister before resigning in May after Labour suffered significant losses in local elections.
It is understood that she has been developing policy ideas for a government under Andy Burnham ever since, and so is perhaps the least surprising appointment so far. Fahnbulleh is a trained economist, has served as a civil servant, and also ran the New Economics Foundation think tank prior to becoming the MP for Peckham in 2024.
With the focus on energy projects the UK has had in recent years, she will be an active voice, and it is likely the industry will hear from her a lot.
Other notable appointments and reactions
Aside from these three, the industry should also become familiar with faces that will have a say in certain sectors, projects, and aspects of business management and skill development, including:
- Wes Streeting: Defence secretary
- Yvette Cooper: Health secretary
- Lucy Powell: Education secretary
- Pat McFadden: Work and pensions secretary
- Jonathan Reynolds: Business and trade secretary
- Bridget Phillipson: Equalities minister
- Heidi Alexander: Transport secretary
- Angela Eagle: Environment secretary
- Kanishka Narayan: Minister for artificial intelligence
- Matthew Pennycook: Housing minister
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has released a statement regarding the re-appointment of Angela Rayner as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government: “We warmly welcome Angela Rayner’s reappointment as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. During her previous tenure, she led some of the most significant housing reforms in a generation, including changes to the private rented sector, planning reforms to boost housing supply, and major investment in affordable and social housing. Her recognition of housing as a foundation for opportunity, economic growth and community wellbeing helped keep it at the centre of the national agenda. As the professional body for housing, CIH looks forward to working with the secretary of state and her team to build on this progress and support delivery of the affordable and social homes the country urgently needs, and help realise the prime minister’s commitment to tackling homelessness.”
Colin Brown, head of planning & development at Carter Jonas, said: “It is encouraging to see Matthew Pennycook MP retained as Minister of State at MHCLG and, importantly, attending Cabinet meetings. This sends a positive signal about the priority being given to housing and planning reform at the heart of government.
“With the UK continuing to face a significant housing shortage, sustained ministerial leadership will be essential if meaningful progress is to be made on increasing housing supply and accelerating delivery.
“The government’s focus on affordable housing and the likely expansion of council-led housing delivery is both welcome and necessary. However, it is equally important that policy provides hope and opportunity for first-time buyers and the many households who are working hard but finding home ownership increasingly out of reach amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
“A successful housing strategy must support those in greatest need while also creating pathways into home ownership for aspiring buyers. Achieving that balance will be critical if the government is to deliver lasting housing reform and broaden access to the housing market.
“For those of us working across the housing, planning and development sectors, there is also a responsibility to play our part. The scale of the challenge demands collaboration between government, local authorities, landowners, developers, housing associations and advisers. If this renewed focus from government is to translate into more homes on the ground, the industry must be ready to engage positively, embrace reform and help deliver practical solutions at pace.”
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