On September 5, 2025, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer appointed David Lammy as Deputy Prime Minister after a significant Cabinet reshuffle. This move follows the resignation of Angela Rayner due to a tax issue involving her new property.
Rayner, who also held the Housing Secretary position, resigned after an ethics inquiry revealed that she had underpaid tax on her new home. The inquiry found that Rayner had not sought proper tax advice, which led to her breaching the Ministerial Code of Conduct. Lammy, previously the Foreign Secretary, will now take on the role of Deputy PM while also serving as the Justice Secretary.
The reshuffle also saw Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, promoted to Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office. Starmer expressed regret over Rayner’s departure but confirmed that the decision was necessary for maintaining high standards of conduct.
