New Prime Minister Andy Burnham appointed former Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary as his Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
As the new Cabinet meets at 10 Downing Street for the first time, the Prime Minister’s choice of ministers gives clues to the priorities ahead. Indeed, his choice for new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has said her priorities will be to improve maternity care, take forward plans to improve social care, and to support the NHS.
In taking the new role, Yvette Cooper succeeds James Murray – who had been in post for just two months.
It is the latest in a succession of senior Cabinet job for Ms Cooper, who has previously been Housing Minister (2005-08), Chief Secretary to the Treasury (2008-09), Work and Pensions Minister (2009-10), Home Secretary (2024-25) and Foreign Secretary (2025-26). Some commentators have suggested that becoming Health Minister is a step down – or even a demotion. Others suggest that the appointment of such an experienced figure shows the new Prime Minister takes the challenges facing the health service seriously.
Yvette Cooper posted on X: ‘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.’
No details have yet been announced of the ministerial team who will work with the new Secretary of State. There is as yet no Minister of State for Care, following the move of Stephen Kinnock, who is now Secretary of State for Wales. Until we hear otherwise, Karin Smyth seems to be remaining in place as Minister of State for Health.
In his first full day as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham announced his intention to end homelessness, and a scheme to cut VAT on electricity bills in a bid to ‘give people some breathing space now [and] some help with the cost of living.’
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