Jo Stevens said on Monday that she is no longer Secretary of State for Wales as Andy Burnham began reshaping his Cabinet after becoming Prime Minister. The change comes as he starts his first major reshuffle and prepares further ministerial appointments.
Stevens said serving as the Labour Party’s first Secretary of State for Wales for the last two years had been “a privilege and an honour.” She said Wales had seen the biggest budget settlement for its public services in the history of devolution, a £14 billion commitment for Welsh railways and the largest public investment in Wales in history through new nuclear at Wylfa.
Jo Stevens and Wales
Her departure removes the minister who has handled the Wales brief since Labour won power in 2024. Stevens said she wished Andy Burnham and her successor “the very best in their new roles” and said she knew Burnham and Ken Skates would “do a great job” for the people of Wales.
She also said Sir Keir Starmer “leaves with the country in a much better place than he found it.” That leaves the Wales portfolio in the middle of a wider team change, with Burnham already moving to put his own line-up in place.
Andy Burnham reshuffle
Burnham began appointing his own ministerial team after succeeding Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. During the reshuffle, David Lammy said he would have been proud to continue serving in Cabinet, but added that a new Prime Minister is entitled to build his own team.
Rachel Reeves called serving as Chancellor “the privilege of my life” and said the economy was “stronger, fairer and more resilient” than when Labour entered government in 2024. She said she wished Burnham and his new Cabinet well and pledged her support from the backbenches.
Steve Reed said he was “disappointed to be leaving Government now” and said Starmer showed loyalty to him by appointing him to his Cabinet. He added: “I make no apology for returning that loyalty.” Peter Kyle, Liz Kendall and Lord Hermer also said they were leaving government.
Further appointments ahead
Earlier in the day, Lord James Timpson and Lord Patrick Vallance announced that they had stepped down. Burnham is expected to unveil further ministerial appointments as he completes the first major reshuffle of his premiership, leaving the next question centered on who will take over the Wales brief.
