Prime Minister Andy Burnham names Yvette Cooper as new Health and Social Care Secretary
She said she would prioritise ‘working urgently to improve maternity services’
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has appointed MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Yvette Cooper, as the new health secretary.
Number 10 announced that the former foreign secretary will serve as health secretary in the new administration after being sworn in as new Prime Minister yesterday (Monday).
His appointment follows the sudden resignation of Keir Starmer, who announced his departure citing “the need for fresh leadership to guide the country through a rapidly changing political landscape.”
An MP since 1997, Ms Cooper has held a variety of roles including health minister, housing minister, chief secretary to the Treasury, home secretary and work and pensions secretary.
In a statement on her new appointment, Ms Cooper said: “It’s a real honour to be appointed Health Secretary by Andy Burnham - 27 years after I worked on the first NHS Cancer Plan as a junior health minister.
"I’m looking forward to working urgently to improve maternity services, to take forward plans for social care, and to once again play a part in supporting our National Health Service, Labour’s proudest achievement.
"Most of all I’m looking forward to working with the dedicated NHS staff, carers, healthcare professionals and volunteers on whom we all depend.”
Other changes to the cabinet include Ed Miliband who is the new Foreign Secretary, Wes Streeting as Defence Secretary.
John Healey has returned to the cabinet as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lucy Powell has been appointed as Education Secretary and Angela Rayner has returned to the cabinet as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Shabana Mahmood remains home secretary.