July 21st 2026

By Ailsa Colquhoun

Yvette Cooper takes over top health post

Yvette Cooper will take over as health and social care secretary, replacing the previous, short-lived post holder James Murray.

In the recent reshuffle following the appointment of Andy Burnham as prime minister, Cooper takes the top health department role, moving from foreign, commonwealth and development affairs, where she also held the top post.

Prior to that the MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley was home secretary.  

Also joining the cabinet is former health minister Stephen Kinnock who has been promoted to Secretary of State for Wales. His successor at the Department of Health has been announced as former work and pensions minister Dame Diana Johnson DBE, MP for Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham.  

Former health secretary and suggested contender in the race for number 10 Wes Streeting has moved to defence, where he takes the top job.

The top job at the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs goes to Dame Angela Eagle, MP for Wallasey.  

DDA podcast interviewee Jenny Riddell-Carpenter MP (Suffolk Coastal) has been appointed a DEFRA minister.  Hear her views on dispensing recorded prior to her appointment.