Emma Reynolds has been appointed secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, replacing Steve Reed in Labour’s first major reshuffle since taking office.
The move is part of a wider shake-up triggered by Angela Rayner’s resignation as deputy prime minister last week. Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer promoted David Lammy to the role of deputy PM, while Yvette Cooper was handed the foreign office.
At Defra, Reynolds will lead a ministerial team that remains largely unchanged. Daniel Zeichner continues as minister of state for food security and rural affairs, Mary Creagh as minister for nature, Emma Hardy as minister for water and flooding, and Baroness Hayman of Ullock as Defra’s representative in the House of Lords.
The reshuffle, which also saw shifts in health and business departments, is being billed by Downing Street as a reset for Labour’s agenda heading into its second year in government.