Starmer has reshuffled the economics and communication team and pressure is building for the Chancellor as Autumn Budget is next month.
Sir Keir Starmer has appointed Daren Jone as the new Chief Secretary and James Murray is taking his role Rachel Reeves number two.
The former Bank of England Deputy Governor Minouche Shafik will now be Starmer’s chief economic advisor.
Daniel York-Smith is now Starmer’s Principal Private Secretary, replacing Nin Pandit and the Prime Minister’s current deputy Chief of Staff Vidhya Alakeson is to handed extra responsibilities who will have complete oversight of policy and delivery.
The Former Tony Blair advisor Tim Allan has been appointed at the Executive Director of Government Communications.
After a year in the job James Lyons, the current Director of Communications is to leave.
Lyons said, “It was an honour to be asked to come in. I’m proud to have helped to get a grip on Whitehall comms after what was a difficult few first months for the Government. It wasn’t just filling the grid.
“Launching the Plan for Change brought focus and direction. But I gave up a lot to come in and this was never intended as a long haul.
When I came back from the summer break I told colleagues I was looking to leave by the end of the year. I’ve brought this forward to be part of the other changes.”
Dan Tomlinson, Chipping Norton MP will now take on Murray’s position as the government’s “growth missions champion.”
Stuart Ingham who is one of Starmer’s longest serving aides is leaving Downing Street and he will as the chief of staff Margan McSweeney’s team.
Shadow Secretary for Environment, Food & Rural Affair Victoria Atkins said, “Congratulations to James Murray for his promotion.
“Turns out that shutting farms down and causing huge distress to rural communities is rewarded by Keir Starmer.”
Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade and MP, Andrew Griffith wrote on social media, “Not the largest vote of confidence in Rachel Reeves.”
The Conservative party chair Kevin Hollinrake said, “This chaotic reshuffle shows a Downing Street in crisis, totally distracted from fixing the damage they’ve done to the economy, jobs and small businesses.
It’s like firefighters arguing about the hose whilst the house burns down.
Inflation has doubled, borrowing costs have soared, and Britain is on the brink of a debt crisis, with working people left to pay the price through higher taxes.
Only the Conservatives, under new leadership, will take a responsible approach to the public finances and ensure our economy grows whilst we live within our means.”
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