May 20th 2026

By Ailsa Colquhoun

Treasury secretary takes top health department post

James Murray (Ealing North) has been appointed secretary of state for health and social care, taking over from Wes Streeting.

Murray was previously chief secretary to the Treasury from 1 September 2025. He previously held the office of Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, having been shadow Financial Secretary for three and a half years before that.

In terms of his voting record while in office, Murray has been most active on taxation and employment and has an active interest in environmental issues. On health matters, he has consistently voted against higher taxes specifically to fund health and social care.

Steven Kinnock remains health minister with responsibility for primary care.