Submitted by daniel on Mon, 20/07/2026 - 17:35 Picture Image Description Steve Reed has left government within two hours of Andy Burnham’s first speech in Downing Street, becoming the first Cabinet casualty of the afternoon as the new Prime Minister begins assembling his team. Reed, widely seen as one of Sir Keir Starmer’s closest allies and among the government’s most frequent media defenders, had been Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government since September 2025, and was Environment Secretary before that. He left at around 3.37pm. In a resignation letter addressed ‘Dear Andy’, Reed wrote: “Serving as the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has been the honour of my life and although I am disappointed to be leaving government now, I wish your new team every success.” – Steve Reed MP for Streatham and Croydon North (Full letter at end of article). Rachel Reeves has also left as Chancellor and Peter Kyle has gone as Business Secretary. Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy, Science Secretary Liz Kendall and Attorney General Lord Hermer are also out, along with prisons minister Lord Timpson and science minister Lord Vallance. Reed returns to the backbenches and remains MP for the constituency. No Cabinet appointments had been confirmed at the time of writing, although prospective appointees that include John Healy, Shabana Mahmood and Ed Milliband had been seen entering Downing Street. Who’s in: John Healey returns as chancellor Ed Miliband stays in cabinet as foreign secretary Shabana Mahmood remains home secretary Louise Haigh becomes chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, first secretary of state and Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden keeps his job as work and pensions secretary Yvette Cooper is appointed health secretary Who’s out Steve Reed lost his role as housing secretary Rachel Reeves is out as chancellor Liz Kendall will no longer be science and technology secretary Peter Kyle was sacked as business secretary Jo Stevens stepped down as Welsh secretary Darren Jones was sacked as chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Hilary Benn is out as Northern Ireland secretary David Lammy leaves government as justice secretary James Murray lost his job as health secretary Lord Hermer will no longer be attorney general Reed’s Resignation Letter page 2 Follow Brixton Buzz Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Follow us BSky Follow us on X/Twitter Web Link Breaking news: Streatham and Croydon North MP Steve Reed out of Cabinet on Burn… Brixton Buzz